VOL IX, pp. 133-138 SEPTEMBER 15, 1894 



PROCEEDINGS 



OF THE 



BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON 



DESCRIPTION OF A NEW MUSK RAT FROM CODROY, 

 NEWFOUNDLAND. 



BY OUTRAM BANGS. 



A fine series of musk rafcs lately received from Codroy, New 

 foundland, shows such differences from Fiber zibethicus (Linn.) 

 of Eastern North America that I think it must be regarded as 

 representing a distinct species. 



This Fiber may be defined as follows : 



Fiber obscurus sp. nov. 

 Diagnosis. 



Smaller than F. zibethicus (Linn.), with the under parts and 

 sides less ferruginous and the upper parts much darker. The 

 lips and the hairs about the under side of the nose are much 

 lighter (pure white). The fringe of long hair around the toes 

 of the hind feet is decidedly lighter than the feet, while in F. 

 zibethicus this fringe is generally of about the same shade as the feet. 

 The under fur is darker than in zibethicus. Skull smaller and 

 smoother, not rising into such pronounced bong ridges with age, 

 with the rostrum relatively larger and the audital bullae rela 

 tively smaller, while the interorbital constriction is actually 

 broader. 



