THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST. 



teru» being perhaps the most troublesome to us as fruit growers ; and- 

 of this last named species alone, I have seen it stated that there are 

 many varieties. 



The following is a very complete list of Canadian representatives- 

 of the family Muridae, for which I am indebted to Prof J. Ramsay 

 Wright, of Toronto, who kindly adds : "T shall be happy to identify 

 any species for you." 



MuEiD^ — Mus deciimanus, brown rat.. 

 " tnu8culus, house mouse. 

 IIesj[)eromys leu< opus, white-footed mouse. 



" MicJdganensis. 



Erotonnys rutilii, long-eared mouse. 

 Arvicola riparius, marsh mouse, 

 " Austerus. 



" pineloTum, pine mouse. 

 In addition to the above list of Canadian species may be enumerated 

 many others, such as Mas messorus (English harvest mouse) ; Mus 

 rattus (the black rat); Hasjperomys aureolus (red mouse of Pa. and 

 South); IJ(^ jperomys politris (rice field mouse, S. States). 



By many naturalists the Arvicolae or Voles have been grouped 

 separately from the Muridae, as not being true mice, because of a 

 peculiarity of teeth which indicates an affinity with the beavers. 



One kind of field mouse makes its granary under the ground, some- 

 times as much as a foot from the surface, and here in one repository 

 there has been found as many as a bushel of nuts. He is aristocratic 

 enough not to dine and live in the same room, but usually has another 

 chamber off his store-house in which to live. He is not content, how- 

 ever, to keep within doors for the winter ; for instead of hybernating 

 like some other animals, he is peculiarly active in winter, no degree 

 of cold seeming to inspire him with cowardice. Too dainty to be satis- 

 fied with what he has in store, he wanders forth in quest of other 

 luxuries, as grasses, the seeds and roots of herbaceous plants, grains 

 and vegetables. Nor is this enough, but intent on destruction, he 

 makes his most dainty repast on the bark of some fine young apple or 

 pear tree. He is delighted to get into the orchard of some careless 

 fruit grower, where he finds rubbish about the trees, as if on purpose 

 to protect him from view; and still more is he pleased when deep 

 snows afford him every advantage for making tunnels and roadways 

 from tree to tree. 



