Page:Natural History (1848).djvu/68

58 The British Islands possess several species of these pretty little creatures, of which we select the Water Shrew (Sorex fodiens, .) for illustration, perhaps the most beautiful of: the genus. The silky coat of this species is on the upper parts nearly black, the under parts being pure white, and the contrast of the colours is heightened by their being well-defined at their separation. The tail and feet are fringed with stiff white bristles, which give an oar-like character to these organs, and indicate aquatic habits.

Mr. Dovaston has described, in a very agreeable manner, some particulars of the economy of this pretty little creature. "On a delicious evening, far in April 1825, a little before sunset, strolling in my orchard, beside a pool, and looking into the clear water for insects I expected about that time to come out, I was surprised by seeing what I momentarily imagined to be some very large beetle, dart with rapid motion, and suddenly disappear. Laying myself down cautiously and motionless on the grass, I soon, to my delight and wonder, observed it was a mouse. I repeatedly marked it glide from the bank under water, and bury itself in the mass of leaves at the bottom: I mean the leaves that had fallen off the trees in autumn, and which lay very thick over the mud. It very shortly returned and entered the bank, occasionally putting its long sharp nose out of the water, and paddling close to the edge. This it repeated at very frequent intervals, from place to place, seldom going more than two yards from the side, and always returning in about half a minute. I presume it sought and obtained some insect or food among the rubbish and leaves, and retired to