資料來源 : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
{Duck mole}. See under {Duck}.
{Golden mole}. See {Chrysochlore}.
{Mole cricket} (Zo["o]l.), an orthopterous insect of the
genus {Gryllotalpa}, which excavates subterranean
galleries, and throws up mounds of earth resembling those
of the mole. It is said to do damage by injuring the roots
of plants. The common European species ({Gryllotalpa
vulgaris}), and the American ({G. borealis}), are the best
known.
{Mole rat} (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of Old
World rodents of the genera {Spalax}, {Georychus}, and
several allied genera. They are molelike in appearance and
habits, and their eyes are small or rudimentary.
{Mole shrew} (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of
short-tailed American shrews of the genus {Blarina}, esp.
{B. brevicauda}.
{Water mole}, the duck mole.
Shrew \Shrew\, n. [See {Shrew}, a.]
1. Originally, a brawling, turbulent, vexatious person of
either sex, but now restricted in use to females; a
brawler; a scold.
A man . . . grudgeth that shrews [i. e., bad men]
have prosperity, or else that good men have
adversity. --Chaucer.
A man had got a shrew to his wife, and there could
be no quiet in the house for her. --L'Estrange.
2. [AS. scre['a]wa; -- so called because supposed to be
venomous. ] (Zo["o]l.) Any small insectivore of the genus
{Sorex} and several allied genera of the family
{Sorecid[ae]}. In form and color they resemble mice, but
they have a longer and more pointed nose. Some of them are
the smallest of all mammals.
Note: The common European species are the house shrew
({Crocidura araneus}), and the erd shrew ({Sorex
vulgaris}) (see under {Erd}.). In the United States
several species of {Sorex} and {Blarina} are common, as
the broadnosed shrew ({S. platyrhinus}), Cooper's shrew
({S. Cooperi}), and the short-tailed, or mole, shrew
({Blarina brevicauda}). Th American water, or marsh,
shrew ({Neosorex palustris}), with fringed feet, is
less common. The common European water shrews are
{Crossopus fodiens}, and the oared shrew (see under
{Oared}).
{Earth shrew}, any shrewlike burrowing animal of the family
{Centetid[ae]}, as the tendrac.
{Elephant shrew}, {Jumping shrew}, {Mole shrew}. See under
{Elephant}, {Jumping}, etc.
{Musk shrew}. See {Desman}.
{River shrew}, an aquatic West African insectivore
({Potamogale velox}) resembling a weasel in form and size,
but having a large flattened and crested tail adapted for
rapid swimming. It feeds on fishes.
{Shrew mole}, a common large North American mole ({Scalops
aquaticus}). Its fine, soft fur is gray with iridescent
purple tints.