10 Kansas Academy of Science. 



months ago, a horn-core of B. latifrons was fished from the bed of the Big Bhie river, a 

 few miles from Manhattan, Kas. We give its measurements as follows, viz. : 



Length on the convex side 31 inches. 



Length on the chord of the arc 22 ' ' 



Circumference 3 inches from the base 16}/^ " 



Circumference 10 inches from the base 13 ' ' 



Circumference 14 inches from the base 12 ' ' 



Circumference 24 inches from the base 8}4 ' ' / 



Comparing tliese measurements with those given by Prof. Allen, we find our Kansas 

 specimen a little shorter, more slender, and more curved than his. This would indicate 

 the Kansas horn-core to be from a female. About an inch had been broken from the tip. 

 If we restore this, and add the horn — which was rather slender — and the breadth of 

 skull, we shall find that the distance from tip to tip will be over nine feet. The weight 

 of B. latifrons was about four times that of the living buffalo. One other specimen has 

 been found in Texas. As yet, these two are the only specimens of J5. latifrons that have 

 been discovered between the Mississippi river and the Rocky mountains. 



HABITS OF TPIi: PRAIRIE DOGS. 



BY H. A. BEOUS. 



Prairie dogs have been the subject of many wild speculations. Much has been given 

 to the public as facts concerning these interesting animals that is purely imaginative. 

 Each of the several species have habits nearly identical, modified by the country. in 

 which they live. These animals are widely distributed over the western Territories, 

 extending from Texas to Minnesota. For the last four years we have studied their 

 habits, and the following are most noticeable. They are quite prolific, bringing forth 

 from four to six at each season. The young are first observed early in May, and continue 

 to appear throughout the month. They grow very rapidly, the pairing season being 

 early in the fall. Until the following spring the young remain with the old dogs. Their 

 holes are peculiarly constructed. For a few feet only the inclination is very great. That 

 these holes communicate with others is obvious. When water is poured into one hole, 

 the dog is often driven out of the entrance of its neighbor's house, some distance off. 

 The amount of water that^has been emptied into a single hole would go to disprove the 

 non-communication, save above ground, witli its neighbor. That the holes always com- 

 municate by subterranean passages, is not to be insisted on. Where the village is scat- 

 tered, the greater would be the isolation. Naturally in a crowded town the dogs would 

 have free and convenient passages below as above ground. Whenever their holes are in 

 any way disturbed, the dogs repair the damages as speedily as possible. Early after a 

 rain, as before, the villagers closely insjiect their homes, to see that all is in proper shape, 

 carefully arranging anything that is amiss. Banks surrounding the holes are kept higher 

 than the surface of the ground, in order that the water may be prevented from filling the 

 holes. In case of a leak, they will sometimes go out during a storm and repair the break. 

 Tall weeds, grass, or anything growing on the "town site," that is apt in any way to ob- 

 struct their view, are cut down many times in the season, and left scattered quite thickly 

 over the lots. 



What is strangest of all is to see an owl wisely standing at a dog-hole, ducking its 

 body as you attempt to approach. No less surprising is it to hear the startling warning 

 from a large rattlesnake, and see it crawl safely into a hole beyond your reach. Dogs 

 suffer more from the snakes than from the owls. The latter seek old abandoned holes, 

 where they may take shelter and rear their brood. The darkest and deepest are not 



