46 
U. S. P. R. R. EXP. AND SURVEYS—ZOOLOGY-GENERAL REPORT. 
Measurements of skins. 
Current 
number. 
Locality. 
Sex. 
Point of nose to— 
Tail to end of— 1 
Foot. 
Nature of 
specimen. 
Eye. 
Ear. 
Occip. 
Root of 
tail. 
Verteb. 
Hairs. 
"Hand. 
619 
Society Hill, S. C. <*__ 
71 
82 
34 
46 
Skin_ 
627 
St. Louis, Mo.** _ __ 
92 
2. 75 
71 
75 
31 
46 
..do_ 
628 
.83 
2. 50 
75 
83 
32 
46 
2153 
Union county, Mo.... 
43 
68 
90 
2. 50 
85 
90 
35 
45 
Alcobol_ 
* The first four measurements of 628 and 627 were taken before the animals were skinned. 
Measurements of skulls. 
1809 
1778 
1779 
Length, of skull.____ 
. 75 
. 79 
Greatest width. __ 
.39 
.41 
Least width__ ___«___ 
Length of palate_______ 
. 33 
. 33 
. 36 
Width of upper jaw___ 
.24 
.25 
.25 
This species differs from B. brevicauda in the considerably smaller size; smaller hands, 
longer tail, the colors not very dissimilar ; with somewhat the proportions of B. talpoides, the 
size is much less ; the third and fourth lateral teeth larger in proportion to the first and second, 
&c. The feet are considerably smaller in proportion. 
The specimens as above given agree in the main very well with each other, and as indicating 
a southern species, smaller than B. talpoides or brevicauda. I have referred them to the Sorex 
carolinensis of Bachman. I am by no means clear, however, that the particular measurements 
cited by him do not belong really to a specimen of B. talpoides , hut he undoubtedly was 
acquainted with a species smaller than the latter. In assigning a dentition of 34 teeth, or of 
incisors premolars molars or one more molar on either side of the upper jaw than I 
have given, he in all probability was in error, as in no carefully examined skull of any species 
of shrew, from any part of the world, have the teeth ever exceeded 32. Dekay goes beyond 
even Bachman, in counting 36 teeth, or incisisors premolars and molars thus commit¬ 
ting a still greater error. 
It is probable that the teeth of the skulls examined by Bachman and Dekay were either badly 
cleaned, or else still in the skin, and seen so imperfectly that two cusps of the same molars were 
counted as different teeth. 
This character of 34 teeth, combined with the statement of an entire absence of ear, have 
caused the erection of several genera to accommodate the Sorex carolinensis of Bachman. Thus, 
Pomel has Cryptotis , and Wagner, Anotus; both, however, strictly synonymous with Blarina 
and Brachysorex. 
