ZOOLOGY. 387 



The gopher inhabits the fertile valleys of the coast, from 

 latitude 34 to 39. He spends nearly all his time under 

 ground, and does most of his mischief there, gnawing off 

 the roots of fruit trees and garden vegetables, eating newly- 

 sown grain and seeds, and nibbling at flowers and sweet buds. 



The Colorado gopher ( Thomomys fulvus) is found in that 

 portion of the State south of latitude 34, but is not abundant. 

 It is smaller than the Californian gopher, and has more of a 

 reddish tinge in its colors. Its habits and appearance other- 

 wise are very similar to those of its northern congener. 



The broad-headed gopher, (Thomomys laticeps) found in 

 the vicinity of Humboldt Bay, is about five inches long. Its 

 color on the back, sides, and belly, is yellowish-brown, with a 

 reddish tinge between the fore legs. 



308. The Rats. California has a number of indigenous 

 kangaroo-rats or jumping-rats, jumping-mice, and other rats 

 and mice, too many and not sufficiently singular, or interest- 

 ing to the general reader, to deserve a complete description 

 here. Among these, Philip's jerboa, in the Sacramento Basin 

 and the Southern Valleys, the Don jerboa, in the Coast Val- 

 leys, south of San Francisco, each twelve inches long, from 

 the nose to the end of the tail, are the largest of the jumping- 

 rats. They will leap four or five times their length at every 

 j ump. 



The Oregon mole (Scalops townsendii) is found near the bay 

 of San Francisco, and perhaps in other parts of the State. It 

 is six or seven inches long, nearly black in color, with faint- 

 purplish or sooty-black reflections in the hair. 



309. Deer. The American elk ( Cervus canadensis) is 

 found in California, as well as in many other parts of the con- 

 tinent. The animal is nearly as large as a horse, and has 

 some resemblance to it in general shape, though smaller, and 

 slimmer in the head, neck, and legs. Its length from the nose 

 to the tail is seven feet ; its height five feet ; its greatest weight 

 one thousand pounds. The color is a chesnut brown, dark on 



