RODENTIA SCIURIXAE SCIURUS HUDSONIUS. 



271 



The Sciurus hudsoniits is thus a very strongly marked species, and is readily distinguished 

 from any hitherto described by the various characters assigned. 



The amount of hair on the soles depends very much upon the latitude and season. The 

 specimen described at length above is a winter one. In summer the sole is hairy posteriorly 

 for about half the distance from the heel to the tips of the toes ; the region immediately behind 

 the tubercles at the bases of the digits being naked. The isolated posterior tubercle of all 

 towards the heel is also nearly naked, though coated with hair in winter. 



The tufting of the ears seems to vary in quite a similar manner, in some summer specimens 

 the tufts being entirely wanting. 



The black line on the flanks, reaching from fore to hind legs, is quite variable in its appear 

 ance, being in most specimens wanting entirely, in others very faintly indicated. As stated, 

 the amount of rusty chestnut varies greatly, sometimes diffused over the whole back, sometimes 

 forming a broad or narrow dorsal stripe, in which the hairs are not at all annulated, and again 

 quite inconspicuous. The upper part of the tail, however, always seems to retain its bright 

 light chestnut or rusty, without annulation. 



Specimens from Halifax and Labrador present a very interesting difference from more southern 

 skins in the much grayer cast of the under parts, the hairs at the same time appreciably annu 

 lated into black at tip, or subterminally. The fur is fuller, the tail well provided with under 

 fur, giving a slight resemblance to that of the S. vulgaris, though it is not so cylindrical. 

 These characters are indicated by Pennant, in his original description of the species from 

 Labrador specimens. 



Specimens from Mississippi have the ear covered with short hairs ; the soles hairy to within 

 a short distance of the digital tubercles. 



List of specimens. 



