CARNIVORA. 
281 
THE DESMANS. 
This genus differs, according to Cuvier, from the 
shrews, in having two very small teeth placed be« 
tween the two great incisives in the lower jaw, and 
the two upper incisives triangular and flatted. 
THE DESMAN. LE DESMAN DE RUSSIE. 
Castor Moschatus, L. (12th ed .) — Sorex Moscha-- 
tus, Gm. 
This singular species is by our Johnston considered 
a mouse ; and Linnaeus subsequently placed it with 
the castors. It is as large as a hedgehog ; and of a 
cinereous gray colour above, and something lighter 
below. It is almost entirely an aquatic animal, seldom 
being seen on shore, where it is very weak and slow 
of motion* The face is lengthened almost to a pro- 
boscis, which the animal is constantly moving about; 
the tail is long, scaly, and flatted at the sides, like 
that of the castor ; the feet are webbed ; the eyes 
are extremely small ; and they have no external ears. 
Beneath the tail, at the root, are placed several re- 
ceptacles for a musky oil, secreted in them, which is 
u 
