CARNARIA. 
79 
guishable, even at a distance. [The general form is not unlike that of the Marsupial genus Myrme- 
coMus : and the bony orbits of the cranium are sometimes complete. 
Three species are known, the T. tana, sumatrana, and ferruginea, all of which are well characterized by differ- 
ences in the conformation of the cranium, in addition to external distinctions ; they inhabit trees, and are lively 
and active animals.* 
All the remaining genera have minute eyes.] 
The Shrews {Sorex, Lin.) — 
Are generally small, and covered with [soft] hair. Under this, on each flank, there is a band of stiff, 
closely-set bristles, from between which, during the rutting season, exudes an odorous fluid, the product 
of a pecuhar gland. Their two middle superior incisors are hooked, and dentated at the base ; the 
lower ones slanting and elongated : five small teeth follow on each side the first, and only two the 
second. There are besides, on each jaw, three bristled molars, and finally on the upper one a small 
tuberculous tooth. These animals retire to holes they burrow in the ground, which they scarcely 
leave till towards the evening, and subsist on worms and insects. 
[We have observed them to be much about during the day, under shelter of close herbage, where their sibilant 
and insect-like cry notifies their presence, and have occasionally seen them venture forth from cover when all was 
quiet.t M. Duvernoy discovered that their incisors occupy, from the first, the position they maintain in after-life, 
but are enveloped for a while by the periost<eum or investing membrane of the bone to which they are attached, 
through which the larger protrude some time before the others : he accordingly infers that these animals have no 
milk-teeth. The same naturalist divides this genus into 
1. Sorex, Duv. (Crocidwra, Wagl. ; including Myosorex, Gray) •, wherein the edge of the long inferior incisors is 
unserrated ; that of the upper notched, or with the spur appearing as a point behind ; the small lateral teeth which 
follow are three or four in number, and diminish rapidly in size from the first to the last ; none of the teeth being 
coloured. The ears are conspicuously developed, and the tail has always longer and coarser hairs mingled with 
the ordinary short ones. This group, which is very distinct, comprises all the numerous extra-European species, 
together with three {S. araneus, Geoff., S. Etruscus, Savi, and S. leticodon, Herm.) which are met with on this con- 
tinent. None occur in the British islands. One of the most remarkable is S. giganteus. Is. Geof., from India, 
which approaches in size to the Black Rat, and has a follicle on each side, producing a pungent musky secretion. 
The remainder have the ears buried in the fur, and consequently inconspicuous. 
2. AmpMsorex, Duv. (Corsira, Gray.) — Incisors of the lower jaw with the edge dentelated ; those of the upper 
forked, the spur behind prolonged to a level with the point in front : the lateral small teeth which follow five in 
number, and diminishing gradually in size : all the teeth more or less coloured at the tips. The British species 
have till very recently been confounded together under the name araneus, which pertains to a continental mem- 
ber of the preceding division.^: 
3. Hydrosorex, Duv. {AmpMsorex and Crossopus, Gray.)— The inferior incisors with an entire edge ; the upper 
notched, or with a spur appearing as a point behind : the lateral teeth which follow in the upper jaw four 
in number ; the first two equal, the third somewhat smaller, and the fourth rudimentary : tips of all the teeth a 
little coloured. This division, which comprises the aquatic species, is less distinct from the second than both are 
from the first. Crossopus of Gray is indeed stated to have the lower incisors dentelated. The British species 
require further elucidation. § 
The Shrews compose an exceedingly numerous genus, the first section of which appears to be almost generally 
diffused. They renew their covering both in spring and autumn, acquiring a longer and less glossy winter coat ; 
and the mode of effecting this is rather peculiar, the change commencing at the head and proceeding backward, 
preserving a distinct cross line of demarcation throughout its progress. These animals are often found dead on 
foot-paths, and dry ditches, on spots devoid of herbage, the cause of which remains to be explained. 
• It is remarltable that tne Squirreis of the same region have very- 
similar fur, both in colour and texture. 
t The common Shrike {Lanius collurid) preys much upon our native 
species. — Ed. 
t Mr. Jenyns distinguishes them as follo-vvs : all are of a reddish- 
brown colour. 
The Common Shrew {A. rusticus, Jenyns) . — Snout and feet slender : 
tail moderately stout, nearly cylindrical, not attenuated at the tip, 
well clothed with hairs, which are very divergent in the young state, 
and never closely appressed. It appears principally to frequent dry 
situations — gardens, hedge-banks, &c. 
Irish Shrew {A. Mhernicus, Jenyns). — Admitted as a species doubt- 
fully, until more specimens have been examined. It is allied to but 
apparently smaller than the last, with the colours more uniform, and 
tail shorter and more slender. 
Square-tailed Shrew {A. tetrngorLurus,'&.^'ra\.') — The snout broad, 
compared with that of the common Shrew; feet, the fore especially, 
much larger ; the tail slender, more quadrangular at all ages, and 
slightly attenuated at the tip ; clothed with closely appressed hairs in 
the young state, in age nearly naked : upper parts very deep reddish 
brown ; below, dirty yellowish-grey. This species is more attached to 
marshy districts, though not confined to them. 
Chestnut Shrew {A. caUaneus,iQX\yn&). — Snout and feet much as 
in the last species, but the former rather more attenuated ; tail mo- 
derately short, nearly round, well clothed with hairs, which form at 
the extremity a long pencil : upper parts, as well as the snout, feet, 
and tail, bright chestnut ; under parts ash-grey. The cranium is 
broader posteriorly and rather more elevated in the crown than in 
A. tetragonurus. It inhabits the same marshy districts. 
§ Mr. Jenyns distinguishes the 
H. fodiens, Gm.— Of a deep brownish-black above, nearly white 
beneath ; the two colours distinctly separated on the sides : feet and 
tail ciliated with white hairs. It inhabits marshes and banks in 
ditches, but is occasionally met with at a distance from water. It 
often seeks its prey at the bottom of pools under water, thus approxi- 
mating in habit to the Desmans. 
S.ciliatus,SowoThy{remifer of Varrell, and doubtfully of Geoffroy).— 
Black above ; greyish-black beneath ; throat yellowish-ash colour 
feet and tail strongly ciliated with greyish hairs. Is found in the 
same situations as the preceding. 
There is reason to suspect others, one or more marked with rufous 
on the under parts having been indicated by observers. — E d. 
