NO. 1101. 



PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



23 



HIND FOOT OF SCAI.O^S AQUATICUS. 



Fig. 9, Lower surfai-e. Fig, 10, Upper surface. 



Byes minute, bat not covered by membrane. No external ears. The 

 auditory orilice (entirely concealed in tlie fur) minute, circular, situ- 

 ated slightly below the level of the eye and on a line with back of 

 the wrist. 



Fore feet very large, broader than long (exclusive of the claw^s). The 

 palms directed backward, and can not be applied to the ground in 

 walking. Palms as long as the soles, but two and a half times as 

 broad as the latter. Fore toes webbed to the base of the nails, which 

 are long, broad, and depressed, and convex 

 above. Back of the manus covered with 

 short, soft, white hairs, which form a fringe 

 all about the margin. Last joint of the toes 

 naked. Palms naked, with very numerous 

 irregular furrows. Second, third, and fourth 

 digits subequal; fifth a little shorter; pollex 

 still shorter and in a line with the other toes 

 Hind feet small and narrow, with long, 

 slender, sharp little-curved claws; otherwise 

 like the fore feet. 



Tail short, slender, terete, tapering. The 



proximal third clothed with long hair, like that of the 

 body; but the remainder with rather short OJid sparse 

 hairs, which do not conceal the skin; a short teiniinal 

 pencil. 



Fur very fine, velvety, slightly crenulate, and with 

 broad, shining tips. 



General color of the body everywhere nearly uniform 

 shining silvery gray, tinged more or less with brown, 

 varying (in subspecies texanus) to pale brown or cream 

 color. Hairs dark plumbeous, except at the extremi- 

 ties. Those on the back of the feet, on the tail, and 

 lower jaw dull white to the base. On the forehead and 

 around the eyes and wrists similar, varying (especially in subspecies 

 texanus) to strong rust color.^ 



SKULL. 



Skull oval, depressed. Facial portion cylindrical, only slightly slop- 

 ing from the forehead forward. Anterior nares opening forward. Pre- 

 maxillse extending beyond the nasals anteriorly. Nasals triangular, 



'It may be of interest to note liore that parasites are sometimes found on our 

 moles. Two dift'erent forms wero found on a ScaJojis from Brightwood, D. C, regard- 

 ing which Mr. Linnell, of the Department of Insects, National Museum, has kindly 

 sent me the following facts: 



"The specimens found on a live mole that you sent are as follows: 



"1. Leptinus testaceus Miill. ; a blind beetle, allied to the Beaver louse (Plat)/2}siiUa), 

 found with various small rodents and insectivora, either on their bodies or in their 

 nests, Europe and America. 



"2. Pulex sp. The sjiecies of this group are not worked out yet." 



11. 



TAIL OF SCALOPS 

 AQUATICDS. 



{Natural size. ) 



