MAR. 1901. MAMMALS FROM N. BRUNS. AND QUE. ELLIOT. 21 



In this series, so far as their appearance is concerned, there 

 are two very distinct styles of Evotomys. One is a light colored, 

 rather long and loose haired animal; the other short haired, 

 smooth and dark colored. Many species of North American 

 Mammals have been described that possessed far less claims for 

 distinctive rank so far as texture and color of fur is concerned. 

 The dark colored form has been supposed by Mr. Bangs to be 

 the only one represented at Lake Edward and to be true gapperi 

 (Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash., x, 1896, p. 49). The type of gapperi 

 came from Lake Simcoe, Ontario, Canada, and the description 

 indicates an animal of the light colored style. I have no speci- 

 mens from Lake Simcoe to compare with my present series, the 

 nearest specimen to that locality before me being from Trout 

 Creek, to the north of Lake Simcoe and not far from Lake 

 Nipissing. This is of the light variety and in outward appear- 

 ance entirely unlike the dark colored specimens, but exactly 

 resembling the light examples in my series. It is therefore 

 probable, judging from the description, that the dark colored 

 form is not typical gapperi, with buffy-ochraceous sides, brownish 

 tail and silvery gray feet, for none of these characters apply to 

 it, 1 since the sides are dark, more or less lined with buff; the 

 hands and feet brownish black, with tufts of white hairs con- 

 cealing the nails; and the tail brownish black above, grayish 

 beneath and tipped with black, causing the animal to be quite 

 different so far as the coloring is concerned. Specimens of both 

 styles were collected in the months of June, July, August and 

 September, and these exhibited no changes in their coloration, 

 each one preserving its distinctive hues, and the young resembl- 

 ing the adults. Now why should there not be two species, when 

 they are so entirely different in appearance and, so far as known, 

 show no evidence of intergrading. Simply because both are 

 found in the same localities, and it is not probable that two so 

 closely allied forms of the same genus could inhabit the same 

 localities and remain distinct. In all the places, from Dalhousie 

 to Lake Edward, both styles were obtained, except on the upper 

 waters of the Restigouche, where only the dark form was pro- 

 cured, but it does not follow that the light form is not also to be 

 found there. This series presents a very puzzling problem, for 

 the color of the pelage in neither style presents a seasonal phase, 

 else they would likely resemble each other; nor one resulting 

 from age, as the young and the adults are exactly alike. The 

 skulls of both styles exhibit no differences whatever that would 



