398 Bibliography. 
animals found within the limits of the state of New York, as well as 
of the other eastern and middle states, had been already, for the most 
part, described previous to the commencement of the survey of which 
the present volume forms the first of a series of reports, published un- 
der the direction and at the expense of the state government. Many 
of the descriptions were drawn up by foreign naturalists, and in conse- 
quence of having been frequently made from stuffed skins and the in- 
correct information of travelers, were oftentimes erroneous. Within 
a few years, our own naturalists have turned their attention to the sub- 
ject, and although but comparatively few additions have been made to 
the number of species, yet our knowledge is based upon a much more 
certain foundation. In the present work, the whole subject as regards 
the Mammalia has been gone over anew, the descriptions re-examined 
or rewritten, and such information added as the author, from his extend 
-ed observations and long familiarity with the subject, was enabled to do. 
A copious synonymy has been made out, and many interesting obser- 
vations brought together on the habits and geographical distribution of 
the different species. wera 
The state of New York covers a large tract of territory, extending 
over eight degrees of longitude, and from 40° 30’ to 45° north latitude, 
and having an area of about 46,000 square miles. Of Mammalia in- 
habiting the State and indigenous to it, there are, according to Dr. De 
Kay, about seventy-four species, belonging te the following orders and 
natural families : hia fies oeetix ¢ am 
Order Marsurtata.—Didelphide, 1 species. it 
Order Carnivora.—Vespertilionide, 5 species; Sorecide, 8; Ursi- 
de, 3; Mustelide, 7; Lutride, 1; Canide,4; Felide, 3; Phocide, 2- 
Total, 33. ieee j 
Order Ropent1a.—Sciuride, 6; Arctomide, 1; Gerbillide, 1; Cas- 
toride, 2; Hystricide, 1; Muride, 11; Leporide, 2. Total, 24. 
Order Uneviata.—Elephantide, (fossil,) 3; Cervide:, 5. Total, 8. 
Order Ceracea.—Balenide, 4; Delphinide, 4. Total, 8. 
As regards the geographical distribution, the following instances are 
interesting, as showing the great extent of territory over which some of 
the species inhabiting the State are found. The Vespertilio Noveboracen- 
sis is found throughout the territory lying between Massachusetts and 
the Rocky Mountains, and between the twenty-third and forty-second pat- 
allels of north latitude. Vespertilio pruinosus, Say, is found in nearly 
every state of the Union, on the Columbia River, and as far north as 
the fifty-third degree, Scalops aquaticus, or shrew mole, extends from 
the Atlantic to the Pacific, and from Carolina to 50° north latitude. 
The Procyon lotor, or raccoon, is found throughout nearly the whole of 
North America, its highest range as yet known being 60° north. Me- 
