THE WEST AFRICAN river siirew. (Half Natural Size. From the Transactions oj the Zoological Society.) 
in a broad flattened muzzle, having its sides furnished with a most luxuriant crop of still bristle-like 
whiskers. The hair of the upper part of the body and limbs is brown and soft, although rather coarse,. 
364 
NATURAL HISTORY. 
case of its proving to belong to a distinct genus. The late Dr. 
Gray described it as a Rodent under the name of Mythomys. 
Some years later Professor Allman and Professor Barboza du 
Bocage procured perfect specimens, and proved the animal to be- 
long to the Insectivora, the latter naturalist describing it under 
the new name of Bayonia velox. Thus within a few years it 
received no less than three different names. 
When the Insectivorous nature of Du Chaillu’s River Shrew 
was ascertained, it was found to be most nearly allied to the 
Centetkhe or Tanrecs, with special affinities to the West Indian 
Solenodons. It is, however, generally regarded as constituting 
a distinct family, characterised among other things by the less 
cylindrical skull, the absence of clavicles, the union of the 
two bones of the shank towards the extremity, the presence 
of anal glands, and the compressed form of the tail. The teeth, 
as in the true Tanrecs, are forty in number, but the molars 
differ considerably in form, as will be seen from the annexed 
figures. 
This little beast, that has given rise to so much discussion 
among zoologists, and received so many names, is only a little 
larger than our common Stoat, measuring about nine inches in 
length, exclusive of the powerful tail, which is of about the 
same length. In its appearance it very much reminds one of a 
miniature Otter, from which, however, it differs considerably in the form of the head, which terminates. 
I.OWER JAW OF WEST AFRICAN RIVER SHREW. 
(Twice Nat. Size. From Trails. Zool. So c.). 
