the Shrew, in natural history; a genus of animals belonging to the class of mammalia, and order of feræ. It has two long fore-teeth in the upper jaw, which are divided into two points; in the lower jaw are two or four fore-teeth, the two middle ones, in the latter case, being shorter than the others: On each side in both jaws are two or more tusks: The grinders are knobbed. The animals of this genus have in general thick clumsy bodies, and five toes on each of their feet; the head resembles that of the mole, being thick at the fore-head, much elongated, and ending in a conical snout, and having very small eyes; in other circumstances of general figure they resemble the murine tribe of quadrupeds. They burrow in the ground, some species living mostly about the sides of waters; and most of them feeding on worms and insects. There are 16 species; of which the most remarkable 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 and heaps of stones, or holes in the earth; is frequently near hay-ricks, dung-hills, 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 Revelley Ab- bey, Lincolnshire; burrows in the banks near the water; is called by the fenmen 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 Linnaeus. Inhabits Siberia; lives in a nest made of lichens, in some moist place beneath the roots of trees; feeds on seeds, digs, runs swiftly, and 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 it seems more properly to belong to the genus of foxes.