RODENTIA LEPORI DAE LEPUS ARTEMISIA. 



603 



thighs, the subterminal brown band is an obsolete trace, separating an ashy white portion from 

 a gray. The same condition prevails on most of the rump. 



The preceding description is made from a very finely colored specimen from Chihuahua, which I 

 have referred to the Lepus artemisia of Bachman. Although it does not agree exactly with 

 his description, compared with a specimen, No. 86, brought from the Columbia river by Town- 

 send, there are no essential differences. The principal distinction is a less degree of black. 

 There is a little more black on the tip of the ear ; the ear, too, is a little more fully furred. A 

 specimen collected by Dr. Suckley, on the Missouri river, 100 miles above Fort Union, agrees 

 precisely with those from Chihuahua. 



A small hare from between San Antonio and El Paso, collected by Mr. Clark, differs in some 

 points, and especially in the prevalence of a yellow tint over those portions of the body usually 

 light-colored. I would have less hesitation perhaps in separating it from L. artemisia on this 

 account, did I feel assured that this coloration has not been caused by the skin while in alcohol, 

 having become impregnated with some foreign substance. The ears have less hair upon them, 

 and the black tip is more decided ; for the present,however, I prefer to call this L. artemisia. 



Measurements of skulls. 1 



1 These skulls are from the Texas plains. Tney were measured a good jvhile ago, before being entered, and cannot now 

 be readily identified. 



Since preparing the preceding article a large number of additional specimens have been 

 received from various localities, and I have been very much perplexed in the attempt to find 

 satisfactory characters for distinguishing the Lepus artemisia and sylvaticus. Thus taking a 

 skin of each, one from Fort Dalles, 0. T. , (992,) and one from Washington city, (465,) both males, 



