154 FAUNA AMERICANA. 



taining specimens, may be in a great measure 

 attributed to the facility with which the animal 

 passes through the soil, in removing from the vi- 

 cinity of danger ; they cast up mounds of loose 

 earth, which, like those of the blind rat, [Spalax 

 typhlus) have no exterior opening; these eleva- 

 tions have been aptly compared by Lewis and 

 Clark to the heaps of earth emptied from a flow- 

 er-pot. The mounds are of various dimensions, 

 from the diameter of a few inches to that of se- 

 veral yards. So entirely subterranean is the 

 habit of this animal, that it is rarely seen ; and 

 many persons have lived for years surrounded 

 by their little edifices without knowing the singu- 

 lar being by whose labours they are produced. 

 (Say.) 



Inhabit United States, from Lake Superior to 

 Florida, and as far west as the Missouri. 



The late Professor Barton, (Medical and Phy- 

 sical Journal,) was of opinion that the Mus bur- 

 sarius of Shaw, was similar to the Toucan of 

 Hernandez, and the Tiiza or Tozan of Clavigero, 

 and says that the cheek pouches in the figures 

 given by Shaw, are represented in an inverted 

 position. 



We have seen the specimen described by Pro- 

 fessor Mitchell, and observed that it had lost its 

 tail. 



