6 BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON. 



ically from all previously known species ^ that comparison 

 with others is unnecessary. Unfortunately, nothing is known 

 of its habits. It may be distinguished from its congeners by 

 the following diagnosis : 



HESPEROMYS (VESPERIMUS) ANTHONYI sp. nov. 

 Type No -„ -• male ad., Merriam Collection. 



Size, small ; tail considerably longer than head and body ; 

 ears large and scant haired ; whiskers long, reaching past 

 shoulders. Soles naked, 6 tuberculate ; palms 5 tuberculate ; 

 thumb armed with a blunt nail. 



Color. — Upper parts from nose to tail, uniform clear ash- 

 gray, more or less darkened by black-tipped hairs ; sides 

 bright buffy-fulvous ; under parts white, the plumbeous basal 

 portion of the hairs showing through on the chin and throat, 

 which are thinly clothed with rather short hairs ; belly 

 strongly washed with salmon, which may be due to earth- 

 staining. Pelage soft. The fur covering the breast, abdo- 

 men, and tlanks is very much more dense than that of the 

 rest of the body, from which it mav be distinguished at a 

 glance. In fact, on the sides it forms well-marked flank 

 patches or tufts. Possibly this character may be seasonal ; 

 if not, it is very remarkable. In the young the belly is pure 

 white, and the bufiy-fulvous flank patches are not apparent. 



The material at hand consists of five skins and skulls, col- 

 lected in April and May. All are males. Nos. 2332 and 

 2335 are immature, though the latter is full grown. The 

 skins were prepared with unusual care, and consequently 

 afford measurements of approximate accuracy. Moreover, Mr. 

 Anthony recorded the total length of each before skinning. 



