CYNOMYS., 153 
only too happy to be rid of their unwelcome neighbors had they the 
power to cause their removal. These animals seem to be independent 
of water, possibly the dew that often falls heavily in the districts in 
which they live satisfying their moderate needs. Prairie-dogs are 
not easily caught, and when captured, are difficult to tame, the wild, 
free life of the plains, causing by comparison, that of a captive 
to be unsupportable. They live on seeds and grasses, and their 
cheek pouches are small. 
oT. Cynomys. 
tT a2). Say 
I ed Taser | MS = 22. 
Cynomys Rafin., Amer. Month. Mag., 11,1817, p.45. Type Arctomys 
ludovictanus Ord, 
Amsonyx Rafin., Am. Month. Mag., 11, 1817, p. 45. (nec Latreille, 
1807, Coleopt.) 
Lipura Illig., Prodr. Syst. Mamm., et. Av., 1811, p. 95. 
Monax Warden, Statist. Polit. Hist. Acc. U. S., 1, 1819, pp. 
225-228. 
Cheek pouches shallow; ears rudimentary; tail very short, flat; 
feet with claws on all five toes; pollex large, nail well developed; 
pelage short, bristly; dentition very heavy: molars large with three 
transverse grooves on their crowns; first and second premolars nearly 
equal in size; outline of molar series curved, divergent anteriorly, 
approximating posteriorly; postorbital processes strong, well devel- 
oped, decurved; antorbital foramina large, subtriangular, the tubercle 
at end large and visible when viewed frcm above, and projecting 
beyond the superior outline of skull; palate greatly contracted pos- 
teriorly; occipital and saggital crests present. 
KEY TO-THE SPECIES; 
A. Size large. Check pouches present, shallow; 
palate greatly contracted posteriorly; post- 
orbital processes long, pointed. 
a. Tail short, flat; pelage bristly. 
a.’ Under parts white; tail with subterminal PAGE 
ota DLOCCOMOLOWD . . races: vss nven ss C.arizonensis 154 
b.’ Under parts yellowish white; tail with 
See MUN DUAIGIE Wl edi dee io ns dw, vowor sn © 3 C. ludovicianus 155 
c.’ Under parts pale fulvous; tail with apical 
Delt mormed black and white..........¢... C. gunnisoni 156 
d.’ Under pagts buffy; tail with apical half 
ONERGIS os S 2 ORS ann ae ea ns se ee C.mexicanus 156 
