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Article XXXIV. MAMMALS FROM NICARAGUA. 

 BY J. A. ALLEN. 



During the last two years the Museum has received several collections 

 of birds and mammals from Nicaragua, made by Mr. William B. Richardson, 

 who for many years was in the employ of Messrs. Salvin and Godman as an 

 ornithological collector in Mexico and Central America. The mammals 

 thus far received comprise about 400 specimens, representing nearly 60 

 species, of which about one-fourth appear to be undescribed. This is 

 perhaps not surprising, in view of the fact that very few mammals have been 

 previously received from Nicaragua. 



The most important of Mr. Richardson's discoveries are a new and very 

 distinct species of Bassaricyon, and a new species of spiney rat, allied to 

 the Ecuadorian EcJiimys gymnurus Thomas, and representing a hitherto 

 unrecognized genus. The collection contains also several other species 

 which are quite different from any previously known. 



Mr. Richardson's collecting trips have covered a wide extent of country. 

 From his home at Matagalpa, in the central part of Nicaragua, he visited 

 the highlands to the northward and northwestward, and also the Pacific 

 coast; eastward his explorations extended from Lake Nicaragua to the 

 vicinity of the Atlantic coast. The principal points at which collections 

 were made are as follows: 



Matagalpa, altitude about 3000 feet. 



San Rafael del Xorte, altitude about 5000 feet. 



Ocotal, altitude about 4500 feet. 



Chinandega, on the Pacific slope, about 700 feet. 



Chontales, lowlands east of Lake Nicaragua, altitude about 500 to 1000 feet. 



Tuma and Lavala, east of Matagalpa, on the Atlantic slope, below 1000 feet. 



Rio Grande, south of Tuma, and at somewhat lower altitude. 



Prior to his present engagement Mr. Richardson had given very little 

 attention to mammals, and hence has been somewhat handicapped in his 

 work by lack of experience, yet his collection is a most valuable one and 

 adds greatly to our knowledge of the mammal fauna of this part of Central 

 America. Unfortunately quite a number of the skulls of some of the smaller 

 species were accidentally lost, but future shipments will probably contain 

 additional specimens of most of these species. Later shipments will be 

 made the basis of a supplemental paper. 



I am greatly indebted to Dr. M. W. Lyon, Jr., Assistant Curator, Division 



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