CLASS I. MAMMALIA: ORDEE 4. INSECTIY OR A. 
145 
Of the Water Shrews — embraced under the generic name of Hydro-sorex by some authors — 
there are several species. The 8. fodiens^ the Common Watbr-shrew of Europe — the Musaraigne 
d'eau of the French — is of a dark chestnut-color, and about four inches long. It lives on the 
borders of small streams, and swims about in pursuit of insects, Avorms, small shell-fish, and 
even frogs and lizards. It is an exceedingly pretty animal, and swims with admirable grace 
and dexterity. The S. tetragonurus is common in France, and various parts of Europe ; the 
S. Alpinus is found in Switzerland ; the S, joygmceus is found in Germany and the adjacent 
countries. This last, and the S. gracilis, S. JEtruscus, and S. Madagascariensis, arc the smallest 
known mammifers. 
There are several species of sorex found in the United States. De Kay's Shrew, S. De Kayi, 
is a small species, of a glossy slate-color, with a short tail ; the feet are flesh color ; length of head 
and body about five inches. It extends from New England to Virginia. The Short-tailed 
Shrew, S. brevicaudus, resembles the preceding. It is found in Connecticut and the adjacent ter- 
ritories. Forster's Shrew, S. Forsteri, is found in Canada and New York. The S. Carolhien- 
sis and S. cinereus are Southern species; the S. Hickardsoni, Say's Least Shrew, S. parvus, S. 
Cooperi, and the Marsh Shrew, S. palusiris, are found in the northwestern territories. The 
Fringe-footed Shrew, S. fimhripes, is found in Pennsylvania. 
The Broad-nosed Shrew, Otisorex j^latyrrhijius^is of a dark-brown color, and four inches long, 
and seems to be an aquatic species. It is found in New York and the adjacent States. The 
Long-nosed Shrew, 0. longirostris, is of a chestnut color, and found in South Carolina. The 
Sorex personatus is another species, little known. 
It will be understood that the shrews are distinct from the shrew moles„ which are American 
animals, and will hereafter be described. 
UROTKICHCS TALPOIDBS. 
THE SOLENODONTES. 
These animals have the appearance of the shrews, but their teeth are more numerous, and of 
somewhat different structure. They naturally occupy a place between the shrews and desmans. 
Tliere are two genera. 
Genus SOLENODONTE : Solenodon. — Of this there is a single species, S. paradbxum, found 
m Cuba and St. Domingo. It is seven inches long, and of a yellowish-gray color. 
' Genus TJROTRICHUS : JJrotrichus. — Of this there is one species, the U.. taipoides, which is 
three inches long, and found in Japan. 
YoL. L— 19 
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