Mus.] MAMMALIA GLIRES. 31 



than in the M. Musculus; dusky on the upper surface, whitish be- 

 neath: toes furnished above with long white hairs extending beyond 

 the claws. 



Common in gardens ; and is occasionally, though very rarely, found in 

 houses. A larger variety, measuring four inches and a half in length, 

 exclusively of the tail, which is four inches, is sometimes met with in 

 woods. Resides in holes under ground, where it amasses seeds, roots, 

 &c. on which it feeds. Produces nine or ten young at a litter. 



42. M. messorius, Shaw. (Harvest Mouse.) Fur 

 tawny brown on the upper parts ; beneath white : ears 

 one-third the length of the head. 



M. messorius, Desm. Mammal, p. 302. Flem. Brit. An. p. 19. 

 Harvest Mouse, Shaw, Gen. Zool. vol. n. p. 62. Fig. on Frontisp. 



DIMENS. Length of the head and body two inches six lines ; of the 

 head ten lines; of the ears three lines ; of the tail two inches six lines. 



DESCRIPT. Much smaller than the last species, and of a more elon- 

 gated form: head narrower in proportion: eyes and ears smaller, the 

 latter barely one-third the length of the head, with the projecting lobe 

 at the base of the posterior margin relatively larger: tail varying in 

 length, equalling the body, or somewhat shorter. Fur above of a bright 

 tawny red colour, with a tinge of brown, the basal half of each hair 

 being dusky, and the upper portion red; beneath almost pure white, 

 the hair being of one tint throughout its whole length ; a distinct line 

 of separation between the above colours running parallel with the sides. 



First found in Hampshire by White. Since met with in Wiltshire, 

 Devonshire, Cambridgeshire, and other parts of the country. Frequents 

 cornfields during the harvest. Nest round, composed of dry straws and 

 grasses, and suspended at a small height from the ground. Produces 

 seven or eight at a litter. 



43. M. Musculus, Linn. {House Mouse.) Fur dusky 

 gray above with a tinge of yellow ; beneath cinereous : ears 

 about half the length of the head. 



M. Musculus, Desm. Mammal, p. 301. Flem. Brit. An. p. 19. 

 Common Mouse, Penn. Brit. Zool. vol. i. p. 122. pi. 11. no. 30. 

 Shaw, Gen. Zool. vol. n. p. 56. pi. 131. 



DIMENS. Length of the head and body three inches two lines ; of the 

 head eleven lines ; of the ears five lines ; of the tail two inches eleven 

 lines. 



DESCRIPT. Head of a somewhat triangular form; muzzle pointed, 

 sharper than in the M. sylvaticus : eyes and ears, especially the former, 

 smaller than in that species ; the latter oval, rounded at the extremity, 

 and narrower in proportion to their length : whiskers shorter : tail stouter : 

 feet and toes, particularly those behind, shorter. All the upper parts of 

 the body and sides, dusky gray with a faint tinge of yellow, this last 

 colour occupying a small portion of each hair near the summit, the basal 

 half and extreme tip being dusky ; under parts cinereous, paler than 

 those above, likewise tinged with yellow: ears, feet, and tail, clothed 

 with a very short fine hair ; the last dusky, of one colour above and 



