SOREX, the SHREW-MOUSE; a genus of quadrupeds, belonging to the order of glires. The most remarkable species are, 1. The araneus, or field shrew-mouse, with short rounded ears; eyes small, and almost hid in the fur; nose long and slender, upper part the longest; head and upper part of the body of a brownish red; belly of a dirty white; length, from nose to tail, two inches and a half; tail one and a half. Inhabits Europe: lives in old walls, heaps of stones, or holes in the earth; is frequently near hayricks, dunghills, and necessary-houses; lives on corn, insects, and any filth; is often observed rooting in ordure, like a hog; from its food, or the places it frequents, has a disagreeable smell; cats will kill, but not eat it: it brings four or five young at a time. The ancients believed it was injurious to cattle; an error now detected. There seems to be an annual mortality of these animals in August, numbers being then found dead in the paths.
2. The fodiens, or water-shrew, has a long slender nose; very minute ears; very small eyes, hid in the fur; colour of the head and upper part of the body black; throat, breast, and belly, of a light ash-colour; beneath the tail, a triangular dusky spot; much larger than the last; length, from nose to tail, three inches three quarters; tail, two inches. Inhabits Europe: long since known in England, but lost till May 1768, when it was discovered in the fens near Reveley Abbey, Lincolnshire; burrows in the banks near the water; is called by the fen-men the blind mouse.
3. The minutus, or minute shrew, has a head near as big as the body: very slender nose; broad short naked ears; whiskers reaching to the eyes; eyes small, and capable of being drawn in; hair very fine and shining; grey above, white beneath; no tail; the least of quadrupeds, according to Linnæus. Inhabits Siberia; lives in a nest made of lichens, in some moist place beneath the roots of trees; feeds on seeds; it digs; runs swiftly; has the voice of a bat.
4. The tucan, or Mexican shrew, has a sharp nose; small round ears; without sight; two long fore-teeth above and below; thick, fat, and fleshy body; short legs, so that the belly almost touches the ground; long crooked claws; tawny hair; short tail; length, from nose to tail, nine inches. Inhabits Mexico; burrows, and makes such a number of cavities, that travellers can scarce tread with safety; if it gets out of its hole, does not know how to return, but begins to dig another; grows very fat, and is eatable; feeds on roots, kidney-beans, and other seeds. M. de Buffon thinks it a mole; but by the ears, it should be classed here.