470 



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



though resembling it in form. The ears are large and very thin, scantily covered with short 

 hairs, so as to appear almost naked. Their color is a uniform dusky, without any white 

 edging. The fore feet appear rather longer in proportion than usual. The hinder are, however, 

 quite long, and their soles are covered with hair from the heel to near the first tubercle, which 

 is elongated, as in H. leucopus. The thumb is more developed than in H. leucopus, with a 

 larger nail. 



The colors of this animal are somewhat like those of H. leucopus, but duller. The upper 

 parts are of a yellowish brown, darkened along the back by a preponderance of black tips to 

 the hairs. The under parts and feet are of a soiled white, (in one specimen light ash colored.) 

 The tail above is brownish ; beneath, it is ashy gray, without the strong contrast of color seen 

 in the H. leucopus. 



Young specimens from Mississippi have the same lead-colored tinge as seen in immature 

 H. leucopus. 



The principal points of difference from H. leucopus have already been adverted to, consisting 

 in the uniformly dusky ears and less purity of white beneath. The lack of contrast between 

 the colors of the upper and under surfaces of the tail is also a striking feature. All these 

 characteristics, if not specific, indicate a very decided and 'easily recognised variety. 



The Hesperomys polionolus of Wagner, in all probability, refers to this same species, especially 

 if the only small Hesperomys in Georgia be the subject of the present article. 1 The description 

 speaks of the small size, the whitish, not white, belly, and the ungrooved incisors. By the 

 omission to speak decidedly in regard to the color of the tail, we may conclude that this is not 

 bicolor. Still, as there is an uncertainty in the case, it may be well to retain Major Leconte's 

 name, until the question can be more definitely settled. 



List of specimens. 



Measured before skinning. 



1 The description is as follows : " Supra flavido plumbeus ; subtus, pedibiisque albidis ;_auriculis mediocribus ; dentibus 

 primoribus integris ; cauda pilosa, abbreviata." Body, 2fV inches ; tail, 1-ft ; ears, -fa ; hind feet, -jV Hab. Georgia. 



