102 RODENTIA. 



1 line ; ears, 7 lines ; tail, 3 inches 6 lines. These dimen- 

 sions vary considerably in different localities. 



It is very prolific, breeding more than once in the year, 

 producing from seven to ten young at a birth. Feeds en- 

 tirely on roots and other vegetables, and sometimes commits 

 great ravages on the crops. 



Is common all over the temperate regions of Europe. 

 In Russia it frequents the woods and plains of the tem- 

 perate parts, as well as the West of Siberia. Is very abun- 

 dant in the British Islands and in France. 



Mas agrarius. 



Mus agrarius, Desm. Maxim. Sp. 480 ; Pallas, Zoog. Ross. As. ; De 



Selys, Mioromm. 

 Sitric of the Russians. 



Description. — Size of M. sylvaticus, but the ears much 

 shorter, rounded, velvety inside. Tail rather longer than half 

 the body, slender, hairy, blackish above, whitish beneath, 

 with about ninety scaly rings ; muzzle more pointed ; head 

 more oblong, and whiskers blackish and less numerous than 

 in M. musculus ; upper parts yellowish rufous, mixed with 

 brown on the head, a narrow, black, dorsal line reaching 

 from the head to near the root of the tail ; under parts of 

 the body, and feet white, the latter very slender, all the 

 hairs slate-colour at the roots. The colour of the fur in 

 general resembles that of the M. sylvaticus, except the black 

 line on the back. 



Length of head and body, 3 inches 8 lines ; head, 1 inch ; 

 ears, 4 lines. — F. M. 



Is very prolific. Lives among crops of grain and roots, 

 on which it feeds. Is said to emit a strong disagreeable 

 odour. 



Inhabits European Eussia, where it is very plentiful ; 



