1308 THE RODENTS 



THE BANDED LEMMING 

 Genus Cuniculus 



The banded lemming {Cuniculus torquatus}, from the circumpolar regions of 

 both Hemispheres, differs in several important points from the true lemmings, and is 

 accordingly referred to a distinct genus. Externally it is distinguished by the ab- 

 sence of conchs to the ear, the shorter and more thickly-formed feet, the practical 

 loss of the first toe of the fore-foot, which has only a rudimental nail, and also by 

 the great length of the claws of the third and fourth toes in the same limb. The 

 molar teeth are more like those of the voles than in the case of the true lemmings, 

 but the first of these teeth in the upper jaw is peculiar in having seven distinct 

 prisms. The banded lemming is so variable in coloration as almost to defy descrip- 

 tion. It may be said, however, in general that the fur of the upper parts presents 

 a kind of ' ' watered ' ' appearance, owing to the intimate mingling of chestnut, rufous, 

 black, gray, and tawny; the under parts being leaden gray. Usually a more or 

 less distinct black line runs along the back from the muzzle to the tail, while there 

 may be a grayish color on the nape of the neck. 



The habits of the banded lemming are probably very similar to 

 those of the other species, although it does not undertake similar 

 periodical migrations to the same extent. Baron Nordenskjold states that there are 

 no lemmings in Spitzbergen, but that they must be exceedingly numerous at certain 

 seasons in Nova Zembla, where, in early summer, the grass is seen to be traversed 

 in all directions by the tracks made by these animals beneath the snow. 



It is interesting to note that remains of both the Norwegian and the 



banded lemming have been found in the Pleistocene deposits of 

 Lemmings 



Britain, apparently indicating the prevalence of different climatic con- 

 ditions to those of the present age. 



THE MUSQUASH 

 Genus Fiber 



The musquash, or muskrat (Fiber zibethicus), is a North- American species, 

 considerably exceeding in size all other members of the Vole subfamily. Although 

 resembling a vole in its general external appearance, as well as in the structure 

 of its molar teeth and skull, the musquash differs by its compressed and 

 proportionately-longer tail, of which the length is nearly equal to that of the body, 

 exclusive of the head. In addition to its compressed form, the tail is also charac- 

 terized by being nearly naked, and covered with scales. The feet, which are partially 

 webbed, differ from those of the voles in having their soles entirely naked. 



The musquash is a massively-built animal, with the head and body attaining a 

 length of about a foot, and the tail about ten inches. The head is unusually wide and 

 not separated from the body by any distinctly-constricted neck; while the eyes are 

 relatively small, and the ears scarcely project above the fur. With the exception of 



