52 U. Ss. P. R. R. EXP. AND SURVEYS—ZOOLOGY—GENERAL REPORT. 
Measurement of alcoholic specimens. 
2157 2158 2161 
IESE Neh ee Ra Se CORSS Sa SSE ae ~35 ~ 34 - 32 
WNosé'to'ear 228s Urb eee 8 - 50 - 50 - 50 
Nose torocciputes. =. 5-5 sence eh so «45 - 72 
Nose«to 100b of Hail = 255022 - gases 1. 85 1. 80 1.80 
Tail to end of vertebra ------------- - 56 -61 - 50 
Tail dovendsofshalrs: 72. ~ -- --<t=-0=-2)-=-E<--- = === Se S68 ssee cee 
Kore fodtes = o-2s2-seoeae a ooeeae - 26 - 26 - 26 
Hand tootiseeat soe sate cece . 38 - 38 - 36 
The specimen from Brownsville agrees very well with those described from Mississippi. That 
from St. Louis differs slightly in a rather longer tail and larger feet; the hair on the back is 
longer, measuring two and two-third lines. The color of the back is lighter and brighter too, 
having a faint tinge of chestnut. Still, as the skulls agree perfectly, and the distinctions men- 
tioned are not very tangible, it is probable that the difference may be owing merely to age or 
season. 
The specimen from Spottsylvania county, Virginia, agrees very well with those from Wash- 
ington, Mississippi. Number 2166 is much more like that from St. Louis, being appreciably 
larger than the rest ; the tail thicker and more hairy; the fur on the back longer, or over .20 
of aninch. The color above is a rich wood-brown, beneath an ashy white, in strong contrast. 
It is quite possible that further investigations and fuller collections will separate the St. Louis 
and Illinois specimens from the rest, in which event they may bear the name of B. eximius.} 
The only species to which, in the proportions of feet, tail, and skull this can be compared, is 
the S. cinereus, and in the absence of more specimens of both forms I cannot feel sure that the 
Mississippi specimens may not prove to be the young of S. cinereus. Dr. Bachman, however, 
who has seen many specimens of this species, makes no mention of any like the present ; and 
out of four from the same locality in Mississippi all have the same characteristics as distin- 
guished from S. cinereus. Thus, the size is much less, and the body more slender. The fur is 
longer in proportion, and more compact. The feet, though small, are rather larger than in 
S. cinereus. The teeth are more deeply colored, though smaller. The colors, however, are 
decidedly different, that of the upper parts being an olive chestnut-brown or liver-brown ; in 
S. cinereus of an iron-gray. The under parts, too, are of a clearer, purer white. 
1 This Illinois specimen resembles closely Audubon’s figure of Sorex parvus. 
