218 Merriam Ovis nelsoni, a New Mountain Sheep. 



Ovis nelsoni sp. nov. 



Type from Grapevine Mountains, on boundary between California and 

 Nevada, just south of latitude 37. No. 1|?, 9 ad. U. S. Nat. Mus., 

 Biological Survey Coll. Collected June 4, 1891, by E. W. Nelson. Orig 

 inal No. 942. 



General characters. Apparently similar to Ouis stone i Allen in pattern of 

 coloration, but much paler; rump patch small and completely divided on 

 median line ; tail short and slender ; molar teeth very small. 



Color. Upper parts, except rump patch, pale dingy brown; under 

 parts and legs much darker, contrasting sharply with the white areas ; 

 inguinal region, hinder part of belly (narrowing to a point anteriorly 

 some distance behind forelegs), inner aspect of thighs and posterior as 

 pect of fore and hind legs, white. 



Measurements (taken in flesh by collector). Total length, 1280; tail 

 vertebrae, 100; hind foot, 360; height at shoulder, 830. In the dry skin 

 the rump patch measures about 190 in breadth by 150 in length (from 

 apparent base of tail). 



