RODENTIA GEOMYINAE GEOMYS PINETIS. 



381 



the claw of the fourth is, however, much stouter and rather longer, projecting a short distance 

 heyond the second. The fifth claw reaches considerably beyond the base of the fourth, or the 

 end of its digit ; and the first bears about the same relation to the fifth. The hind feet are 

 broad ; the first and second toes longer than the fifth and fourth, respectively. 



The cheek pouches are very large and ample. 



The upper parts are a dark brown, verging to plumbeous, this covering the central region 

 of the back ; on the sides the color is of dusky yellowish brown, extending anteriorly over the 

 cheek pouches and outside of the legs ; beneath, ashy white ; showing, however, much of the 

 plumbeous basal portion of the hair. The posterior edge of the fore legs, the chin and throat 

 are a purer white, which color is also seen in obscure patches between the legs. The auricular 

 region is not conspicuously more dusky. The hairs are rather stiff and very glossy above. 



The only opportunity I have had of examining this species was in the hall of the Academy 

 of Natural Sciences ; the specimen was collected in Florida by Dr. Blanding, and is one of 

 those referred to by Dr. Leconte. I am unable to say whether it ever assumes a more reddish 

 brown tint than that described. 



Measurements. 



The first mention I can find made of this animal is under the name of Hamster of Georgia, 

 as quoted above ; the descriptions appear to be by Dr. S. L. Mitchill, and are quite minute and 

 exact, especially that in Bewick's Quadrupeds, though nothing is said about the furrows of the 

 teeth. Other authors refer to it from time to time ; but the first scientific name applied to the 

 species was that of Rafinesque. This Audubon and Bachman completely ignore in describing 

 the species as new under the name of Pseudostoma floridanum. Dr. Leconte, however, in his 

 sketch of the genus, again restores the name of Rafinesque. 



The geographical distribution of this animal is not well ascertained. If there be but one 

 species in the southeastern States, then it is known to occur in northern Florida, and in Georgia 

 to the Savannah river, and west to the mountains ; it also occurs in Alabama. 



