40 Maynard on the Mamynals of Florida. 



31. Neotoma floridana Say and Ord, Wood Rat. — 

 I saw nests of this species quite often about Jacksonville 

 and Hibernia, but found none at Blue Springs or at any 

 section south of this point. But Professor Baird, in his 

 "Mammals of North America,'' cites a specimen which w^as 

 taken on Indian River by Dr. Wurdemann. Now very rare 

 in Florida, but I had a specimen sent me from Dunn's Lake. 



32. SiGMODON HispiDUS Say and Ord. Cotton Rat. — 

 Common thoughout the entire mainland of Florida, and ap- 

 pears to frequent the marshy places along the borders of 

 rivers and other bodies of water. Whenever we encamped 

 in such localities the Cotton Rats w^ould gather around to 

 feed upon remnants of scattered food. It appears to be 

 noctural in its habits. 



33. Arvicola pinetorum LeConte. Pine Mouse. — I 

 insert this species on the authority of Aububon and Bach- 

 man, who assert that they have received it from Florida. 



34. Lepus sylyaticus Bachman. Gray Rabbit. — 

 Abundant thoughout all sections of the mainland, frequent- 

 ing the pine woods as well as the hummocks. They appear 

 to have much the same habits as at the North. 



35. Lepus palustris Bachman. Marsh Rabbit. — Com- 

 mon in the marshes of the St. John's River, in the marshes 

 of the Cedar Keys and southward. 



36. DiDELPHYS YiRGiNiANA Shaw. Opossum. — Com- 

 mon throughout the mainland of the state, but does not oc- 

 cur on the Keys. These animals are a decided pest to the 

 inhabitants, for they are prone to rob hen roosts. They 

 are strictly nocturnal, remaining concealed in the trees 

 during the day. 



I have never met with an undomesticated animal so var- 

 iable in color. Three specimens now before me exhibit the 

 extremes. One, evidently an old individual, is gray 



