SOREX, the shrew, in natural history, a genus of Mammalia of the order Pe rm. Generic character: in the upper jaw two front teeth long and bifid ; in the low er two or four, the intermediate ones shorter ; several tusks on each side ; grin ders cuspidated. This genus of animals is most nearly allied to that of the mouse. Its teeth, however, constitute an impor tant variation, and class it rather with the carnivorous tribes. There are seventeen species, of which the following most de serve attention. S. araneus, or the fetid shrew, is found throughout Europe and the north of Asia, and inhabits fields, gardens and out-houses, and measures about two inches and a half in length, exclusively of' its tail. It is distinguished from a mouse chiefly by a long and sharp snout. It breeds in holes under banks, feeds on roots and grain, as well as on every species of putrid animal substance, and has a very rank and disagreeable odour, whence it derives its designa tion.
S. moschatus, or the musky shrew, abounds in the north of Europe and Asia, and inhabits principally the river 'Volga, rarely appearing on land. It is about se ven inches long to the tail, and of a cine reous brown colour. Its snout is extreme ly prolonged, and apparently cartilagi nous. It feeds on worms, water-insects and leeches, and sometimes on vegetables. These animals are often observed swim ming on rivers and lakes in large compa nies. On land their motions are particu larly slow. They are destroyed in Rus sia, to be placed in drawers or chests, from which they effectually keep moths at a distance. See Mammalia, Plate XX.
fig. 3.
S. radiatus, or the radiated shrew, is a native of Canada, and is remarkable for having on the extremity of its snout a circle of sharp pointed processes, some what like the radius of a boot-spur; for having its tail most curiously knotted, somewhat resembling what are called Queen's garters; and for having its feet with five toes, each covered with scales. It burrows like the mole, but is seen far more frequently above ground. See Matn mans, Plate XX. fig. 2.
S. ccruleus, or the perfuming shrew, is found in India, and is stated to leave an intolerable musky scent on every sub stance over which it passes ; and it has been asserted by gentlemen of respecta bility, that a corked bottle of wine has been so completely penetrated by this ef fluvium, as totally to spoil the liquor. The great strength and subtlety of the perfume are, at all events, unquestionable. This animal prefers rice to almost all other food, living chiefly in the rice fields, but occasionally entering houses.
S. exilis, or the pigmy shrew, abounds in Siberia, is shaped and coloured like the common shrew, and is noticed here for being probably the very smallest of European quadrupeds, being about half a dram" only in weight. See Mormons, Plate XX. fig. 1.