NO. 5 MAMMALS OF PANAMA — GOLDMAN 121 



Proechimys s. panamensis differs from P. s. semispinosus in 

 slightly paler coloration ; the skulls are practically indistinguishable. 

 P. s. panamensis compared with P. s. centralis is slightly richer, more 

 ochraceous in color, the incisive foramina are more widely open, less 

 pinched together posteriorly, and the inferior border of the jugal 

 is less developed posteriorly to form a hook. The rich ochraceous 

 coloration of P. s. panamensis is intensified in the insular form P. s. 

 burrus. In general characters P. s. panamensis is about midway 

 between P. s. centralis and P. s. semispinosus. P. s. chiriquinus 

 seems to be inseparable from P. s. panamensis. 



In Panama these spiny rats occur nearly everywhere, except on 

 the slopes of the higher mountains. They appear to be terrestrial 

 in habits and were taken by me in traps set usually under logs, pro- 

 jecting roots of trees, or among rocks in the forest. Two were 

 caught on the top of the wall forming a part of one of the old forts 

 on a hill near Porto Bello. The walls were overgrown with bushes, 

 vines and small trees. Others were taken under logs in the edge of a 

 clearing on the Setiganti River near Cana. Bangs (1902, p. 47) 

 reco'rds 31 specimens from Divala and Bogava, Chiriqui, and further 

 states that " though very common in the low lands and the foothills 

 of the Volcan de Chiriqui the spiny rat certainly does not ascend the 

 volcano to any great height as Mr. Brown did not find it at Boquete." 

 Allen (1904, p. 70) lists specimens from Boqueron. Specimens in 

 the British Museum are recorded by Thomas (1900a, p. 220; 19030, 

 p. 41) from Pacome, Panama, and as P. s. chiriquinus from Gover- 

 nador, Brava and Cebaco, all islands off the southern coast of 

 Chiriqui. 



Anthony (1916, p. 370) reports this spiny rat "quite abundant" 

 at low elevations in the Canal Zone and Tuyra Valley, less so at 

 higher points and none were taken by the American Museum expedi- 

 tion on the crest of the range near Mount Tacarcuna. He lists 

 specimens from Boca de Cupe, Cituro, Real de Santa Maria, Gatun, 

 Maxon Ranch (Rio Trinidad), Tacarcuna (altitude 2,650 feet) and 

 Tapalisa. 



Tailless individuals are common on the Panama mainland and I 

 noticed in skinning normal freshly killed specimens that the tail 

 parts near the base on very slight strain, so slight, indeed, that in 

 working rapidly care is necessary to avoid mutilating the skin which 

 is easily broken at the same point. On examining museum material 

 I find examples of P. cayennensis, P. mincce, P. canicollis and of 

 Hoplomys gymnurus that evidently had no tails when captured. 

 Bangs is quoted on the tailless condition of P. s. burrus (p. 123) in 



