No. V.] 



ZOOLOGY. 



663 



even on the shores of the Arctic Sea. The specific name is a tribute to the exertions 

 and to the success of Dr. Richardson. 



Arctomys Hoodii. Striped American Marmot. 



The beauty of this elegant and interesting little animal can be but indifferently un- 

 derstood by description: it is only seven inches and a half long; the upper part 

 of the body is marked with numerous longitudinal stripes of brown and dingy white ; 

 the brown stripes are dotted the whole length with little spots of light colour, 

 the same as that of the paler alternate lines ; the under parts of the body are 



t 



pale brown. It was observed living like its congener, in holes in the ground, in 

 the level country round Carlton-House. 



When the specific name of Hoodii was attached to this animal, the untimely fate 

 of the deserving individual, in compliment to whom it was named, was unknown in 

 England : it may be, therefore, permitted now to observe on the part of Natural 

 History, that his many careful and accurate drawings of subjects connected therewith, 

 bear ample testimony to the loss which that science, in common with his country 

 and his immediate profession, have sustained by the premature termination of his life. 



Sciurus Hudsonius* Hudson's Bay Squirrel. 



Both Forster and Hearne, in their notices of this animal, appear to have taken it 

 for the common European squirrel, whereas its native country is solely that in the 

 vicinity, and westward of, Hudson's Bay. Two specimens were received, a male and 

 female, which had been caught at Cumberland-House, in October, 1819. The 

 following description is taken from the male : — length two inches ; whole upper parts 

 brownish grey, with a slight ferruginous tinge on the back and head, but not on the 

 sides. The speckling is formed by very minute markings on the hair, and is very 

 beautiful : under parts entirely cinereous grey ; the tail is six inches long, the hair 

 longer than that of the body; the upper part ferruginous grey, brighter than the 

 back, and tipped with black ; the under part, which is shewn when the tail is set up, 

 is darker than elsewhere, there being more of black mixed with the ferruginous grey 

 hairs. Though a constant inhabitant of the northern continent, it does not change 

 the colour of its coat in winter. The tail is erroneously said by Pennant to be barred 

 with black ; it is not so. These animals inhabit the Pine forests, and are found where- 

 ever the White Spruce Fir grows, living upon its seeds, and passing the winter in 

 holes at the roots of trees, coming out occasionally for food, and to sport in fine 

 weather among the branches. The flesh of the females is good ; that of the males 

 tastes strong, particularly in the spring season. 



