U. S. P. R. R. EXP. AND SURVEYS ZOOLOGY GENERAL REPORT. 



Measurement of alcoholic specimens. 



The specimen from Brownsville agrees very well with those described from Mississippi. That 

 from St. Louis differs slightly in a rather longer tail and larger feet ; the hair on the back is 

 longer, measuring two and two-third lines. The color of the back is lighter and brighter too, 

 having a faint tinge of chestnut. Still, as the skulls agree perfectly, and the distinctions men 

 tioned are not very tangible, it is probable that the difference may be owing merely to age or 

 season. 



The specimen from Spottsylvania county, Virginia, agrees very well with those from Wash 

 ington, Mississippi. Number 2166 is much more like that from St. Louis, being appreciably 

 larger than the rest ; the tail thicker and more hairy ; the fur on the back longer, or over .20 

 of an inch. The color above is a rich wood-brown, beneath an ashy white, in strong contrast. 

 It is quite possible that further investigations and fuller collections will separate the St. Louis 

 and Illinois specimens from the rest, in which event they may bear the name of B. eximius. 1 



The only species to which, in the proportions of feet, tail, and skull this can be compared, is 

 the S. cinereus, and in the absence of more specimens of both forms I cannot feel sure that the 

 Mississippi specimens may not prove to be the young of S. cinereus. Dr. Bachman, however, 

 who has seen many specimens of this species, makes no mention of any like the present ; and 

 out of four from the same locality in Mississippi all have the same characteristics as distin 

 guished from S. cinereus. Thus, the size is much less, and the body more slender. The fur is 

 lunger in proportion, and more compact. The feet, though small, are rather larger than in 

 S. cinereus. The teeth are more deeply colored, though smaller. The colors, however, are 

 decidedly different, that of the upper parts being an olive chestnut-brown or liver-brown ; in 

 #. cinertus of an iron-gray. The under parts, too, are of a clearer, purer white. 



1 This Illinois specimen resembles closely Audubon's figure of Sorexparma. 



