THE :ma:m.^ials oi- floriua. 119 



America about the 3^ear 1554, but it has beeu nearly exterminated 

 by the Norway Rat. 



MUS ALEXANDRINUS Geoff. 

 White Bellied Roof Rat. 



A hu-ge rat, rather grayer in color tlian dcntiiinnits and whiter on 

 the under parts. The tail /s its/Ki/fv /oii^rr tlnni Ihc body. Tiiis 

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



nUS DECUMANLJS Pa//as. 

 Norway Rat. 



A very large rat, brown above, gra3'ish wdiite beneath : fail rarely 

 as /oj/o- as iJic body. Claimed to liave been introduced into America 

 about 1775- 'T'l''^ oi^ly Florida specimens I have seen of this species 

 were taken in Jacksonville. It is probably contined 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. 



SIGMODON HISPIDUS LITTORALIS Chapman. 

 South Florida Cotton Rat. 



Similar to the preceding, but decidedlv darker: length, includ- 

 ing tail, 9.50; tail, 3.50. 



Common in Middle and South Florida. 



ORYZOnVS PALUSTRIS NATATOR Chaptnan. 

 Florida Harsh Rat. 



Rather large ; above browm ; dusky white beneath : length, in- 

 cluding tail, about 12 ; tail, 5.50. 



Recorded from Gainesville, Enterprise, Micco, Smyrna, and 

 Flamino-Q. 



