96 



SKETCH or THE HISTORY OF MAMMALIA. 



ternally at the sides of the mouth, and are carried inwards 

 and downwards along- the side of the lower jaw ; these 

 pouches are not pendulous ; the mouth is a vertical fissure 

 nearly an inch long, entirely exposing the incisors; and 

 the lateral fold of skin before the opening of the pouch 

 is covered internally and externally with fur. The body 

 resembles that of a great mole with a large clumsy head. 

 (Fig. 57.) 



The animals of this genus were termed " GaufFres" 

 by the early French travellers : there appear to be se- 

 veral species. 



The Camas pouched rat is common in N, America, on 

 the banks of the Columbia river, and the Multnomah, 

 where it is known under the name of Camas rat, because 

 the bulbous root of the Quamash or Camas-plant {Scilla 

 esculenta) forms its favourite food. It is eleven inches 

 long, and of a chestnut-brown colour. These animals 







57. — Camas Pouched Rat. 



