One of the least known mammalian families are the Soricidae (shrews). Because of their wide distribution, great antiquity, important relationships, and because they offer so many challenging problems to the biologist, it seems well to put on record a general statement of our knowledge of the family. This survey thus has a twofold purpose: to point out the major gaps in our knowledge of the group, and to act as an introduction to the literature on soricids for the interested or prospective student.