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Show 232 DR. J. ANDERSON ON ASIATIC SHREWS. [Mar. 4, second and third small lateral teeth, so that the dental formula is 2-p+l +2-^| = 3 0 * T h e r e are t w 0 I n d i a n Shrews belonging to this genus, viz. Soriculus nigrescens, Blyth, and Corsira alpina, Schinz, apud Blyth. The former is a true Crossopus, with brown-tipped teeth, four small lateral teeth, a hook-like process moderately developed, and a well-marked eminence on the lower incisors, its dental formula being ?Ai-|-| +|^|=30. I am not in a position to express any personal opinion whether the Alpine and Himalayan Shrews are of one species ; but Mr. Tomes, who compared two specimens of the Himalayan Shrew of Hodgson (? Crossopus caudatus) with a specimen of C. alpinus of Europe, concluded that they were closely allied, if not perfectly identical; and stated that if one of the examples of C. caudatus with a naked compressed tip to its tail had been placed along with the European species it would have been almost impossible to distinguish them. He did not, however, express any more decided opinion regarding their affinity. The dentition of C. caudatus, Hodgson, is that of a true Crossopus. The upper front incisors have a strongly hooked process on their internal margin; and the inferior incisors are pointed, with a well-developed eminence near their base, the dental formula consequently being A--*-- _j_A_=3o. The genus Sorex, as now restricted, has five small lateral teeth; three, according to Brandt, belong to the intermaxillary, and two to the maxillary. Consequently there are eight upper incisors (the two anterior ones being large and arched, the others behind them decreasing in size), two canines, two premolars, and eight molars in the upper jaw, as a whole. The mandible has two incisors, two canines, two premolars, and six molars. The incisors of the lower jaw are each furnished with four eminences, corresponding to the number of the upper incisors. The tooth-like process on the internal margin of the upper incisors is very slightly developed ; and the pigment of tbe teeth is darker than in Crossopus. The dental formula is therefore as follows: - + 9 + 2+6 *••-•• 32. No Shrews with this type of dentition have hitherto been found in India. Dentition of Indian (Brown-toothed) Shrews. 2.2+8. Crossopus nigrescens, Gray. ^~" +2" 12_2 ++ 62*+ 6 = 3^* Lower incisors with a well-developed eminence. C. caudatus, Hodg. -§- + 2+2+1* •*"""" 30. Lower incisors with a well-developed eminence. It is curious to remark that these two forms are Himalayan, while all the white-toothed Shrews are Indian, no brown-tipped-toothed Shrew having as yet been found in India or Ceylon, and none in the Malayan region, as far as I am aware. I take this opportunity to describe a small Shrew which I have received from Goalparah on the Brahmaputra, and which appears to be nearly allied to, if not identical with, P. hodgsoni, Blyth. Upper surface rich dark glossy brown, under surface pale brown, |