ZAPODID^E— ZAPIIS HUDSONIUS— GENERAL HISTOKY. 



479 



name of Meriones microcephalus. In 1856, Principal J. W. Dawson rede- 

 scribed* the species as new, from Nova Scotian examples, under the name 

 of Meriones acadicus. But the ciiaraeters adduced by these authors in neither 

 case indicate specific distinction, viewed in the light we now have on the normal 

 variability of this animal. 



Though scarcely pertaining legitimately to the history of the species, 

 numerous vague indications by Rafinesquc of American species of ^^Gerbillus" 

 may be here alluded to. The original quotations, together with the accounts 

 compiled, chiefly by certain French writers, from Bafinesque, will be found 

 in tlie foregoing list of synonyms. If the several sup|wsed species have any 

 foundation in nature, they are, in all probability, referable to Zapus hudsonius; 

 but I doubt that the "long-tailed", "short-tailed", "lion-tailed", 'shrew-like", 

 and "big-eyed" Gerbilli of M. Rafinesque are aught else than mere figments. 

 This writer is also said to have renamed Davies's animal under the style of 

 Gerbillus daviesii, while he is entitled to the credit of leading American 

 authors in giving the specific term hudsonius its rightful priority. 



In 1865, Professor Giebelf gave some account of the osteology of the 

 animal, the dentition of which had before been specially treated by Fr. 

 Cuvier (/. s. c). In 1872, the habits of tHe species were made the subject 

 of a special paper by Prof. Sunborn Tenney f. For additional information 

 respecting its habits, reference may be made to the writings of Audubon and 

 Bachman, DeKay, Samuels, and Kennicott {II. ss. cc). 



' Notice of the species of iftriona and Arvicola fonnd in Novn Scotia. < Edinbargb New Fbilo- 

 sopbicul Journal, new series, iii, 1856, p. 1. 



t Zur Osteologie des labradorischen Springers, Jacnlus labradorins. < Zeitsobr. gesammt. Natnrw. 

 XV, 1365, pp. 878-274. 



X Hybernation of tbe Jamping Hoase. < American Naturalist, vi, 1872, pp. 330-332, fig. 101. 



