358 MONOGRAPHS OF NORTH AMERICAN RODENTIA. 
than two-thirds of the length of the ear. The skull varies in length from 
3.45 to 3.88; in breadth from 1.53 to 1.75. The lower jaw varies in length 
from 2.17 to 2.77. 
The southern specimens are considerably smaller than the northern, as 
shown by the measurements given in the subjoined table. Thus the average 
length of five skulls from the vicinity of San Francisco is 3.80, width 1.72; 
while the average length of nine skulls from Cape Saint Lucas, Lower Cali- 
fornia is 3.52, width 1.58. 
This species differs from LL. cad/ofis, its nearest ally, in being consid- 
erably smaller, in its darker and more rufous tints and relatively longer ears, 
and in the small size of the lower jaw, which is relatively smaller than that 
of any other North American species of Lepus. 
This species was first indicated in 1837 by Dr. Gray, who mentioned it 
under the name L. californicus, without, however, publishing any description 
of the species. Two years later it was described from the same specimen 
by Dr. Bachman, Its only synonyms are Lepus richardsoni of Bachman 
(1838), based on a specimen supposed to have come from California, and 
Lepus bennetti of Gray. 
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION.—The Lepus californicus ranges from the 
northern parts of California southward along the coast to Cape Saint Lucas. 
It seems to be mainly restricted to the region west of the Sierra Nevada 
Mountains; but in latitude 35°, according to Dr. J. G. Cooper, it extends 
eastward to the Colorado River. Further eastward, it is replaced by L. 
callotis var. texianus. 
TaBLE LII.— Measurements of LEPUS CALIFORNICUS. 
a . 
3 From tip of nose to— Tail bd end Length of—| 
z == g 
e 3 Locality. ; = 3 oS Remarks. 
2a vite é Sod | Sih ils 
6 Pla leeeb lets] echo lpec elles oo Posh 
is) a] A i= ° a > = & faa} a 
1169 | Fort Reading, Cal...... ----| 2.20 | 3.50 | 4.03 | 20.00 |......].....- 2.65 | 5.05 | 5.70 | From Baird 
668 | Bodega, Cal............ eee| ee AOn 451250) 490 251000 nec tacos 2532 | 5: 30 | 5. 82")._----do. 
2976 | Petaluma, Cal ......... --=-| 2.35 | 4.10 | 4.75 |....2-- 3.60 | 5.35 | 2.50 | 5.20 | 6.50 |...... do. 
1980 |.---.- doyenssse-con cee ee tote | ee al eee eee 22.00 | 3.20 | 4.70 | 2.55 | 5.60 | 5.40 
1168 | San Francisco, Cal. ..-.. Soe |e d0)l| eae 4.70 | 21.00 | 2.95 | 4.70 | 2.30 | 5.10 | 6.00 | From Baird. 
2965 | San Diego, Cal.......- ----| 1.76 | 3.45 | 3.95 | 20.00 | 3.00 | 4.60 |...... OA GoskON| Poon do. 
1595 |-.-..- dojeteesast conse. Od} 1.50} 3.10 | 3.40 15. 00 | 1.28 | 2.38 | 1.98 | 3.63 | 3.35 |-..-.. do. 
1327 | Colorado Desert -.-.--.- ----| 1.76 | 3.45 | 3.95 | 20.00 | 3.00 | 4.60 |.....- 4.70 | 5.10'}.--... do. 
8415 | Cape St. Lucas, L. Cal..|....| 2.00 | 3.50 | 5.00 | 18.00 | 4.00 | 5.20 |..-..- 5.20 | 6.20 | Collector's measurements. 
