

"l^i- 



m- 



312 



MONOGRAPHS OF NORTH AMERICAN RODENTIA. 



labels the collector Ims written "Length 19 in." The length of the cars and 

 hind feet fully equal the dimensions of these parts in the largest specimens 

 of \ar.-virgininnuit, and indicate var. hairdi as perhaps the largest form of 

 the grouj). The ears also appear relatively longer than in any otlier form. 

 The skulls of whicli measurements are given are limited to two specimens, 

 both immature, they still retaining the last temporary molar.* 



This variety a]))iear8 to he strictly an alpine form, inhabiting the snowy 

 summits of the higher portions of the Rocky Mountains. The specimens in 

 summer pelage are, with one exception, all from the Wind River Mountains 

 and otiier ranges near the; head of the Yellowstone River, one being from the 

 mountains of Colorado. Others, in winter pelage, are from the mountains 

 west of Fort Benton, and from the Bitte. Root Mountains near Fort Bridger, 

 one also coming from as far south as Cantonment Burgwyn, New Mexico. 

 I was intormed by hunters and mountaineers, wliile west in 1871, of the 

 occurrence of a white iiare with very large broad feet in the Snowy Range of 

 Colorado, in the Medicine Bow Mountains of Wyoming Territory, and in the 

 Wasatch Mountains of Utah, whicli I doubt not is referable to this variety. 

 The hunters spoke of it as being peculiar to the snowy region, and as very 

 difTerent from the white Hare of (he plains (L^pus campextris), or from any 

 otlier species with which they were occjuaiuted, in the great breadth oi its 

 heavily-furred feet. 



Taulk W .—Mea»ureneni» of LK.i'ua amkkicanus var. amkkicanus. 



* Several otbor skulls ciiiuo to band later, but I flud tbnt, tbiungb inadvertouce, no luviisurenieuts 

 of tbeni were tiikuu bufure (boy DKnin piiased out. of my bands. 



