RODENTIA A1URINAE NEOTOMA FLORIDANA. 



489 



the color on the back and sides is a nearly uniform grayish plumbeous, a little lighter in tint 

 than the bases of the hairs. There are no other appreciable differences. The same color is 

 seen in specimens from Georgia. 1 



Mectfiurements. 



This species is very abundant throughout the southern Atlantic and Gulf States, although 

 none were found by Mr. Curtis at Society Hill, South Carolina. A few specimens of unusually 

 large size were captured some years ago by J. G. Bell, near Piermont, on the Hudson river, but 

 I have not heard of any in intermediate localities. It is said to extend a considerable distance 

 up the Missouri river, and the specimen of Capt. Whipple seems to indicate its occurrence far 

 west in Arkansas. 



1 The recent reception of a fine series of Neotama, from Dr. Hammond, at Fort Riley, enables me to give with more preci 

 sion the characters of the species. The prevailing color of the upper parts is a yellowish brown, on the back darkened by 

 black tipped hairs. The yellowish brown, almost fulvous color, is brightest on the shoulders, as well as on the flanks. 

 The head is ash gray, with a slight wash of fulvous on the crown and on the cheeks. The under parts generally, with 

 the upper surfaces of the feet, are pure white ; the hairs on the breast, throat, median line, and lower parts of the belly, 

 white to the roots ; on the sides of the middle of the belly, plumbeous to near the tip. Anterior to the fore leg, on the 

 lower part of the sides of the neck, is a large rounded spot of pale yellowish brown, almost saffron ; the two of opposite 

 sides separated only by about an inch or le&s. This is a purer tint of the same color as seen on the flanks. The tail is 

 quite hairy and depressed ; the lower half white, in strong contrast with the dusky plumbeous of the upper portion. 



These specimens agree exactly with Mr. Bell's specimen from near New York, and are much larger and brighter colored 

 than any I have seen from the south. 



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