232 COTTON-RAT. 



its nest, but we have more frequently found it composed of leaves 

 and withered grasses. Indeed, this species does not appear to be very 

 choice in selecting materials for building its nest, using indiscrimi- 

 nately any suitable substance in the vicinity. We should have preferred 

 a more characteristic English name for this Rat, but as it already has 

 three names, Cotton-Rat, Hairy Campagnol, and Wood-Rat, the latter 

 being in Carolina applied both to this and the Florida rat, we have con- 

 cluded not to add another, although one more appropriate might be found. 



GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. 



We have traced the Cotton-Rat as far north as Virginia, and have seen 

 it in North Carolina, near Weldon and Wilmington. It is exceedingly 

 abundant in South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida ; in Alabama, Missis- 

 sippi, and Louisiana, traces of it are every where seen. We have re- 

 ceived a specimen from Galveston, Texas, but have had no opportunity 

 of ascertaining whether it exists farther south. 



GENERAL REMARKS. 



Although this species was noticed by Lawson a century and a half ago, 

 it was not described until a comparatively recent period. Ord obtained 

 specimens In Florida in 1818, and it was generally supposed that it was 

 not found further to the north. In the spring of 1815, three years earlier 

 than Mr. Ord, we procured a dozen specimens in Carolina, which we 

 neglected to describe. Say and Ord, and Harlan, described it about 

 the same time, (in 1825,) and Godman a year afterwards. We prefer 

 adopting the name given to it by the individual who first brought it to 

 the notice of naturalists. In its teeth it differs in a few particulars from 

 Arvicola, and approaches nearer to Mus. The genus Sigmodon, at the time 

 it was proposed, was strongly objected to by Harlan and Godman ; we 

 have, however, after a good deal of investigation, concluded to adopt it, 

 although our plate of the Cotton-Rat was lettered Arvicola hispidus. 



