Pocket-gopher 



569 



grass in lengths with its teeth, then transferred it to the 

 pouches by the use of both paws, as well as teeth and lips. 

 In doing this its movements were so quick as to make obser- 

 vation difficult. 



One of the most curious characteristics of its fore-paws 

 is their perfect prehensileness. This is attained, not by a true 

 digital prehensility, but by the long claws working against 



CrSfTot' 



Fig. i64^Attitudcs in burrowing ; the same animal in different pwses. 



the large pad or cushion of the pisiform region, as is the case 

 with the sloth and some other animals. This power seems of 

 use only in the handling of food, while foraging, eating, or 

 filling their pouches. The animal seemed as incapable of 

 climbing as a dog or a sheep. 



My notes on another captive are thus recorded: 

 Carberry, Man., July 29, 1892. In the morning I in- 

 vestigated a Pocket-gopher's labyrinth. The part that I 

 opened is shown in Fig. 165. This was about 9 inches below 

 the surface and each gallery, about 3 inches in diameter. It was 

 continued north-west for about 50 feet farther with fresh mounds 

 at various points all along. I set the trap in a hole near the 

 north end, and in the evening found the Gopher caught by the 



