Vol IX, pp. 133-138 September 15, 1894 



PROCEEDINGS 



OF THE 



BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON 



DESCRIPTION OF A NEW MUSK EAT FROM CODROY 

 NEWFOUNDLAND. 



BY OUTRAM BANGS. 



A fine series of musk rats lately received from Codroy, New- 

 foundland, shows such differences from Fiber zlbethicus (Linn.) 

 of Eastern North America that I think it must be regarded as 

 representing a distinct species. 



This Fiber may be defined as follows: 



Fiber obscurus s(). nov. 



Diagnosis. 



Smaller than F. zihethinis (Linn.), with the under parts and 

 sides less ferruginous and the upper parts much darker. The 

 lips and the hairs about the under side of the nose are much 

 lighter (pure white). The fringe of long hair around the toes 

 of the hind feet is decidedly lighter than the feet, while in F. 

 zihethieus this fringe is generally of about the same shade as the feet. 

 The under fur is darker than in zihethien.s. Skull smaller and 

 smoother, not rising into such pronounced bong ridges with age, 

 with the rostrum relatively larger and the audital bullte rela- 

 tively smaller, while the interorbital constriction is actually 

 broader. 



