180 
BLARINA (SORICISCUS) PARVA. (Say), Jordan. 
LEAST SHREW. 
On page 98 of this report I have given this species, ‘not as a known 
resident of Ohio, but as a species, without reasonable doubt, occurring 
there,” basing this assumption on its occurrence at Carlisle, Pennsylva- 
nia, and at Irvington, Marion county, Indiana, where Dr. D.S Jordan 
took a specimen in 1874, which is now in my possession. 
Since then I am enabled, through Mr. F. W. Langdon, to verify the 
range ascribed in the body of the report. Under date of Madisonville, 
Hamilton county, Ohio, January 19th, 1879, Mr. Langdon writes me that 
among some shrews forwarded by him to Dr. Coues for examination was 
a specimen of the Least Shrew, also two specimens of the Short-tailed 
Shrew, all from Madisonville. Of the Least Shrew Mr. Langdon says: 
“This is a Species of considerable interest, having been originally de- 
scribed by Say as Sorex parvus. Dr. Coues writes me in regard to it.” 
“< Sorex parvus, Say,’ has never been identified, but for years has been 
kicked around promiscuously among all the northern species of the fam- 
ily. *« * Ihave not the slightest doubt that you have the veritable 
animal of Say, in the specimen you send.” 
The opinion of Dr. Coues ‘is based on the examination of both the 
skin and skull of Mr. Langdon’s specimen. The skull of the specimen 
secured by Dr. Jordan was, unfortunately, mutilated by the cat who 
caught it, but the species is identified beyond question. 
The occurrence of the Least Shrew in both Ohio and Indiana is 
worthy of note, as the geographical distribution of the species of Sorex 
and Blarina has been but little studied, and indeed the number of spe- 
cies of these genera is yet uncertain. Harlan describes a female speci- 
men, and gives the habitat as “Council Bluffs, Missouri.” 
Mr. Langdon’s specimen of the Hairy-tailed Mole, Scapanus brewert, 
taken in Adams county, Ohio, carries the distribution of this species 
farther south than has been previously recorded. 
THe Wour AND WILD Cat. 
Regarding the occurrence of the Wild Cat and Wolf at the present 
day in Ohio, I insert a paragraph from the Ohio State Journal of Decem- 
ber 20th, 1878. I have written to the parties, but as yet have no confir- 
mation of the circumstances as stated : 
““Wolf in the Woods.—At this season of the year fox hunts and other sports of the 
forest are in vogue in the country, but even in this thickly settled part of the country 
savage beasts that have more than fun in their prowling around are occasionally met. It 
will be remembered that about this time last year there was great excitement in Union 
