



'I; < 



im w 







224 



MONOGRAPHS OF NORTH AMERICAN RODBNTIA. 



the know.i range of the species, which has not hitherto been reported west 

 of the Mississippi, if we except one or two Missouri specimens, as No. 3130. 

 From Mr. Goss' collection, we judge that the animal is not rare in Kansas. 

 Two of his specimens are the largest we ever saw, exceeding four inches; 

 but they seem to be somewhat overstuffed, as other skins of Mr. Goss' cer- 

 tainly are.* As evidence of the distensibility of the fresh skin of this and 

 other Arvicolce, we may instance No. 8139, from Kansas, whose length we do 

 not include in the table, since it surpasses five inches as prepared, though, 

 apparently, the animal was under four. Both Mr. Goss' large skins are 

 females ; males of his from the same locality are, if anything, a little below 

 the average size. Dr. Palmer's Fort Cobb examples, not noticeable in any 

 other respect, carry the known range of the species still farther westward ; 

 while, finally. No. 3732, from Oregon, takes it (o the Pacific. This one, 

 secured by the United States Exploring Expedition, probably by Mr. T. R. 

 Peale, has been long in the collection, but seems to have been overlooked, 

 owing to the circumstance that it stands labeled by a curious blunder 

 "Arvicola occidentalis", to which it bears a slight resemblance in color alone. 



Table LVII.— JfoHMrcmenM of sisty-righl tpecimmt 0/ Akvicola (Pitymys) piketordm. 



* His Neosho Falls Besperomys, Orgzotngt, Onychpmyi, and others, aru all luger, a* prepared, than 

 usDol, though the parts that do uot change iu drying are of ordinary dimensions. 



