1896.] NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 197 



the mountain, at an elevation of 3,500 feet. This species is not seen 

 in Tennessee below an elevation of 2,000 feet, so far as I could ascer- 

 tain, and the majority live above 4,000 feet. They are unknown on 

 the Cumberland plateau. Lack of suitable specimens prevents me 

 from making the necessary comparisons, but I am suspicious that 

 the Red Squirrels of the Balsam belt of Roan Mountain are a dark, 

 local race of hudsonicus which may merit separation from the typi- 

 cal form. 



Specimen — Roan Mountain, Carter Co., 1. 



Genus SCIUROPTERTJS F. Cuvier. 

 28. Sciuropterus volans (L.). Southern Flying Squirrel. 



From reports of the hunters, and what we know of its distribu- 

 tion in other parts of the United States, this elegant squirrel may be 

 said to be common all over the State of Tennessee from the summit 

 of Roan Mountain to the western " bottoms." Specimens from the 

 highest altitudes would be of interest in determining whether sub- 

 species sabrimis, the northern form, is not found there. In the low- 

 lands of Haywood County, Mr. Miles observes that in the evening 

 this species " makes a chattering sound, that sooner or later I hear 

 whenever camped in the woods and don't think I ever miss hear- 

 ing in clear weather, never in foul weather. Five years ago, in 

 the country, they took possession of my martin box and ran the 

 martins out. I got after them and routed out thirty." 



Order CARNIVORA. 



Family PROCYONIDJE. 

 Genus PROCYON Storr. 



29. Procyon lotor (L.). Raccoon. 



The " Coon " is excessively abundant in the bottoms of West 

 Tennessee and Mr. Miles thinks their numbers there are increasing. 

 In other parts of the State they appear to be well represented. 



Family MUSTELIDiE. 



Genus LUTRA Linnjeus. 



30. Lutra hudsonica Lacep. American Otter. 



This fisherman is often seen by hunters at Reelfoot Lake. A 

 specimen was killed at Open Lake, Lauderdale Co. this winter and 

 was seen by Mr. Miles. The otter is a rare but constant inhabitant 

 of all the larger streams in the State. 



