VOL. IX, pp. 105-108 JUNE 9, 1894 



PROCEEDINGS 



OF THB 



BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON 



A NEW RABBIT FROM 'WESTERN FLORIDA. 

 BY GERRIT S. MILLER, JR. AND OUTRAM BANGS. 



In a small collection of mammals made in Western Florida 

 during the winter of 1893-1894, by F. L. Small are four speci 

 mens of a marsh rabbit that seems to be specifically distinct from 

 Lepus palustris Bachman. 



Dr. Bachman in his description of L. palustris* gives no defi 

 nite type locality, but states that the animal is common in east 

 ern South Carolina and from thence south to southern Florida 

 (on the east side). His description was probably based on South 

 Carolina specimens as it evidently refers to the animal found in 

 that region. 



The form from western Florida may be defined as follows : 



Lepus paludicola, sp. nov. 



Diagnosis. 



About the size of L. palustris with the hind foot shorter, the ear much 

 shorter, and color generally darker and less yellow, especially about the 

 head and on the under parts. Skull throughout slightly broader and flatter 

 than that of L. palustris, the rostral part in particular being disproportion 

 ately short and broad. 



