LEMMUS NORVEGICUS. 93 



are of opinion that the two species are distinct. Both it 

 and A. Savii are found in the Department du Gard, where 

 the former zealous naturalist has had many opportunities of 

 comparing them. It is not nearly so abundant, however, 

 as the latter. In general aspect, the A. incertus differs 

 from A. Savii in being thicker and shorter ; it frequents 

 marshy places, whereas the latter prefers the fields of 

 Lucerne. 



Genus LEMMUS. 



Teeth. — Incisors, |; molars, |^f-=16; upper incisors 

 convex in front, and without furrows ; lower ones pointed ; 

 molars composite, without tubercles even at top ; ears very 

 short, rounded ; eyes very small ; fore-feet with four or 

 five toes armed with claws, and formed for burrowing ; 

 hind-feet with five toes; tail very short, covered with 

 hair. This genus is closely allied to Arvicola, differing 

 from it chiefly by the position of the fore-feet, and by the 

 shortness of the tail. 



Lenrmus Norvegicus. 



Lemmus Norvegicus, Desm. Mamm. Sp. 450. 

 Mus Lemmus, Linnaeus. 

 Myodes Lemmus, Pallas, Zoog. Ross. As. 

 The Norway Lemming. 



Description. — Fur tawny, red-brown, varied with black 

 and brown ; front feet with five claws ; head short, thick, 

 oval ; muzzle very blunt ; eyes very small ; ears small, 

 hidden by the fur, rounded ; claws very short, especially 

 those of the fore-feet. Fur of the body very soft, nine 

 lines in length ; end of nose whitish ; top of head deep 

 black; a black streak extends from the eye to the ear. 

 In old animals there is a crescent of yellowish and dirty 

 white on the back of the head ; a long black streak from 



