THE CANADA POUCHED RAT — THE CAMAS RAT. 53 



Canada Pouched Rat. 

 {Plan of Burrow.) 



path, in which case they dipped to a much lower level. Two of 

 these burrows were opened, but in neither case was the animal 

 captured, as the lateral galleries ran on every side into the fields 

 and woods, so as to afford an easy mode of escape. 



The Canada Pouched Rat is nearly a foot in length, and is no- 

 table for the great development of its incisor teeth, which project 

 beyond the lip, and for the dimensions of its cheek-pouches, which 

 measure about three inches in length, and extend as far as the 

 shoulders. It was formerly thought that the animal employed 

 these pouches for the conveyance of earth out of its burrow, but 

 it is now known that it does not make any such use of those nat- 

 ural pockets. 



Another species belonging to the same genus, the Camas Rat 

 (Pseudostoma borealis), is an indefatigable burrower, making tun- 

 nels at a very little distance below the surface of the ground, and 

 throwing up hillocks as it passes along. Like the rabbit, it is a 

 partially social animal, living in small communities, and probably 

 drawn together by no personal affection, but by the convenience 



