54 U. Ss. P. R. R. EXP. AND SURVEYS—ZOOLOGY—GENERAL REPORT. 
Measurements. 
No. 642. No. 643. 
Inches. Lines Inches. | Lines. 
Head to occiput) 22 ees aaah pee ae eta 0 8 0 9 
Head to ro0tioittenlt- = 22a So aes oe eee eee ct eae 2 0 2 0 
Tail jo end of vertebral A= ae A Sa Soe ce a eee CP ae oe |S See v 
Tarltevend of jhairsveos = 5 35 sees NP SSS ROBE ee | ee ee ee Ct ee ee eee eee 1} 
IAG sirorn (write sae See a ee Sets oe oo ee ee De ee 33 
Hoot from heel < 238: = seas seas seeds th foe iene sake ocean Skee eee Aty | ce. 888222 4t¢ 
Skull length offpalate.-._._ =... ss nessct 5 2. See ee es Beye. lac. BStSlas3 325 
Skull width ofpalatie® 3222 cic ec osm ce ea eos eecsateo eee ee eee yA) Se eae 2 Ps 
Measurements of two specimens in alcohol, 
2159. 2160. 
Nose to eyes sets 5226.55 see J Sess ek Se eee . 36 . 30 
WHS Sein Seen sSassosa sodoScsosacm ee Soee a eeS oo . 58 - 52 
Occiputi ase =—seen =e ane See a eee ee ne . 78 an fis 
Rob of dailies oS So sean ae bee eee ae ee eee | 2.00 1. 92 
Pailite end of tvertebries = 52 2b se Sou ees eee. 2k . 60 - 55 
Tail to endiof shairs). =. 42-6 252. eee esa eS - 65 - 62 
an Gs os cece = dee eae es ame dob tasesse seh e eo Shed 27 227 
RinO tao Sate oS ee Se a Si Ee - 40 . 39 
The only species requiring comparison with this is the S. exilipes, a specimen of which, doubt- 
ingly referred to this species, has been found at Brownsville, on the opposite “bank of the Rio 
Grande. Itmay, however, be readily distinguished by the character of the fur, which is very short 
and close, sub-erect, almost like long-piled velvet, especially on the breast and throat, instead of 
lying back. The feet are larger and broader. The most appreciable difference, however, is in 
the teeth, which are much larger in every way; the first two lateral upper teeth are much 
longer and more pointed, and instead of sloping forward and overlapping they are almost 
directed backwards, or at least perpendicularly to the palate. The colors, too, are appreciably 
different. 
The specimens described form part of the Berlandier collection presented to the Smithsonian 
Institution by Lieutenant Couch, and were probably gathered by Dr. Berlandier, in the vicinity 
of Matamoras. Among the notes of Dr. Berlandier is the description of a Sorex, for which he 
proposes the name of 8. lessonii, and which may possibly refer to one of the above specimens, 
although there is some discrepancy. There is unfortunately no description of the teeth of his 
animal, 
| Measurements taken before skinning. 
