146 



little mounds which in some sections are quite numerous. They are 

 provided with large cheek pouches, with which the}' are said to con- 

 vey the earth to the surface. The salamander is seldom seen abroad 

 during the day, and if they ever leave the burrows it is in the night. 

 When by any accident they appear above ground in the daylight, they 

 seem confused, and may be readily captured. 



MURIDJE. 



26. Mus deciimanns Pallas. 

 Brown Rat. 



Found abundantly at Jacksonville, not only in the city, but on the 

 neighboring plantations. I do not remember of having observed it 

 elsewhere in Florida. I have never seen a specimen of the common 

 mouse (mus musculus) in the state. 



27. Mus tectorum Savi. 

 White-bellied Rat. 



The first instance of my finding this species in Florida was at 

 Miami. There was an old cistern here which was formerly used by 

 the troops which were stationed at old Fort Dallas. It was about 

 ten feet deep, having cemented sides, and contained nearly two feet of 

 water. Several species of the smaller rodents were frequently found 

 dead and floating on the surface, having evidently fallen in while 

 attempting to reach the water. Among them was a specimen of the 

 white-bellied rat. As this was the only instance of nw taking it in 

 the southern section of the state I am unable to give any account of 

 its habits there. But I found it in immense numbers at Salt Lake, 

 inhabiting the moist prairies. Here they build nests near the tops of 

 the grass, somewhat after the manner tliat the white-footed mouse 

 builds in bushes at the North. This species was probably introduced 

 into the country from the vessels of the early Spanish discoverers. 

 In the old world it inhabits the thatched roofs of houses, from which 

 we may infer that this species originally found its home among thick 

 reeds or grasses, of which the roofing would probably be composed. 

 Thus in the white-bellied rat of the wilds of Florida we have an 

 example of a species instinctively returning to its primitive habits, 

 even though its ancestors from force of circumstances have for nianj' 

 generations dwelt in a diflerent manner. 



28. Ilcsperomys Icncnpus Wagneh (= cogiiatux, mijuidcs 

 ct (/ossypinus of authors). 



Wliite-footed Mouse. 



This mouse is very abundant throughout all sections of the main- 

 land of Florida, infesting the houses of the smaller settlements after 



