Insect i vor a

(-tiv'ord.) [From L. insect a, insects, and voro, Idevour. ] (Zool.) The fourth O. of mammiferous animals, comprising the Shrews, Hedgehogs,Moles, . As the name denotes, they subsist principally on insects, worms, . In general they lead a nocturnal and subterranean life; and in cold countries most of them pa the winter in a torpid state. Their legs are short, and in running they place the entire sole of the foot upon the ground. There is great variety in the front teeth of the animals belonging to this order; in some the canine teeth are longer than the incisors, while in others the canines are very small or entirely wanting. [s. 486]