THE MAMMALS OF FLORIDA. II9 



America about the year 1554, but it has been nearly exterminated 

 by the Norway Rat. 



MUS ALEXANDRINUS Geoff. 

 White Bellied Roof Rat. 



A large rat, rather grayer in color than dccunianus and whiter on 

 the under parts. The tail is usually longer than the body. This 

 is the common rat usually to be found in houses and stables. 



nUS DECUMANUS Fallas. 

 Norway Rat. 



A very large rat, brown above, grayish white beneath ; tail rarely 

 as long as the body. Claimed to have been introduced into America 

 about 1775. The only Florida specimens I have seen of this species 

 were taken in Jacksonville. It is probably confined to the larger 

 towns and cities and not found elsewhere. 



SIGHODON HISPIDUS Say. and Ord. 

 Cotton Rat. 



Fur, dark brown, tipped with tawny ; under parts grayish white ; 

 length, including tail, about 9.50; tail, about 3.50. 



Abundant in Northern Florida, being replaced in Middle and 

 Southern Florida by the next. 



SIQMODON HISPIDUS LITTORALIS Chapman. 

 South Florida Cotton Rat. 



Similar to the preceding, but decidedly darker ; length, includ- 

 ing tail, 9.50; tail, 3.50. 



Common in Middle and South Florida. 



ORYZOHYS PALUSTRIS NATATOR Chapman. 

 Florida Harsh Rat. 



Rather large ; above brown ; dusky white beneath ; length, in- 

 cluding tail, about 12 ; tail, 5.50. 



Recorded from Gainesville, Enterprise, Micco, Smyrna, and 

 Flamingo. 



