Mr. J. K. Lord on two new Mammals. 95 



shadow of an attempt to construct one, was there to be seen. Early 

 in October I returned again by the trail I had used in going from 

 Fort Colville to Fort Hope ; the snow had fallen to about the depth 

 of 6 inches, completely covering up the rocks and stones. All the 

 little fellows had disappeared, and, although I searched most care- 

 fully, there was not a hole nor track in the snow to show they had 

 ever left their quarters. It was quite impossible a nest could have 

 been made in the interim ; hence I feel perfectly sure they hybernate 

 in deep holes without a nest, whereas Lagomys minimus, living at a 

 much greater altitude, makes a large nest of hay to pass his winter 

 sleep in. 



The two new animals may be described as follows : — 



Fiber osoyoosensis. Lord, sp. nov. 



Sp. char. — In total length 85 inches shorter than Fiber zihethi- 

 cus (Cuv.) ; in general size much smaller. General hue of back jet- 

 black ; but, the hair being of two kinds, if viewed from tail to head it 

 looks grey — the under fur being fine, silky, and light grey in colour ; 

 concealing this on the upper surface are long coarse black hairs ; the 

 belly and sides somewhat lighter ; head broad and depressed ; neck 

 indistinct ; ear small, upper margin rounded ; eye small and black ; 

 the feet, legs, and claws are so exactly like those of Fiber zibethicus 

 that it would be useless to describe them again ; whiskers long, and 

 composed of about an equal number of white and black hairs ; inci- 

 sors nearly straight, on the external surface orange-yellow. 



The skull differs from Fiber zibethicus in being much smaller, 

 2\ inches in length, 1^ inch in width, very much shorter from the 

 anterior molar to incisors ; nasal bones much more rounded at their 

 posterior ends, the superior outline less curved ; postorbital process 

 not nearly so much developed ; the cranial portion of the skull in 

 its upper outline is much less concave, and smoother ; superior out- 

 line of occipital bone not so prominent or strong ; incisors shorter 

 and much straighter ; molars much smaller, but in general outline 

 similar. 



Lagomys minimus, Lord, sp. nov. 



Sp, char. — Differs from Lepus {Lagomys) princeps of Sir J. 

 Richardson (F. B. A., i. p. 227, pi. 19) in being much smaller. Pre- 

 dominant colour of back dark grey, tinged faintly with umber-yellow, 

 more vivid about the shoulders, but gradually shading off on the 

 sides and belly to dirty white ; feet white, washed over with yellowish 

 brown ; ears large, black inside, the outer rounded margin edged 

 with white ; eye very small and intensely black ; whiskers long, and 

 composed of about an equal number of white and black hairs. 



Measurement : Head and body 6^ inches ; head 2 inches ; nose 

 to auditory opening 1| inch ; height of ear from behind 1 inch. 



The skull differs in being generally smaller ; the cranial portion 

 of the skull in its superior outline is much narrower and smoother. 

 The nasal bones are shorter and broader, and rounded at their poste- 

 rior articulation, instead of being deeply notched as in L. princeps. 



