527 
COMMON SHRE^\^. 
Sorex Araneus. S. cauJa mediocri, corpore subtus albido, Lin. 
Syst. Nat. p. 74. 
Ferruginous-brown Shrew, whitish beneath, with tail rather 
shorter than the body. 
Mus Araneus. Gesn. Qicadr. p» 747. Aldr, dig. p. 441. 
Musaraigne. Byf. S. p. 57. t. 10. f, i. 
Foetid Shrew. Fennant Quadr. 2. p. 224, 
This little animal, which is perhaps the smallest 
of the European quadrupeds, is a very common 
inhabitant of our fields and gardens, and measures 
about two inches and a half, and the tail one and 
a half. Its colour is nearly similar to that of a 
mouse, but of a somewhat more ferruginous 
tinge; and the animal is readily distinguished by 
its long and sharp snout; the eyes are small and 
almost hid in the fur. It feeds on roots, grain, 
insects^ and almost any kind of neglected animal 
substance. It has a very strong and unpleasant 
smell ; and it is remarkable that cats Avill kill but 
not eat it. Mr. Pennant observes that there 
seems to be an annual mortality among these 
little animals every autumn ; numbers of them be- 
ing found dead at that season by paths and in the 
fields. It inhabits most parts of Europe, and is 
also said to be found in Siberia and Kamtschatka, 
It breeds in holes, under banks, among moss, &c, 
and is said to produce several young at a time. 
