lo8 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



Genus Phenacomys Merriam 



1889 Pheuacomys Merriam, North American fauna. 30 Oct. 1889. no. 2, 

 p. 28. Type Phenacomys intermedins Merriam. 



Front teeth without grooves, broader than deep; grinding teeth rooted (pronged) 

 in adults, large and lieaiy ; iony palate not ending in a thin-edged shelf behind; 

 body short and thick; tail short; ears just appearing above fur; color never 

 distinctly red. (Phendcomys; Gk., impostor mouse) 



So far as at present known the genus Phenacomys is peculiar to 

 North America. Six species are recognized, two of which occur within 

 our limits. 



SPECIES OP PHENACOMYS 



Total len<;th about 150 (5f ) ; skull with a deep groove between 



eye sockets P. eel at us 



Total length about 130 (5^) ; skull without distinct groove 



between eye sockets P. latimanus 



Phenacomys celatus Merriam Large yellow-faced phenacomys 



1889 Phenacomys celatus Merriam, North American fauna. 30 Oct. 1889. 



no. 2, p. 33. (Godbout, Quebec, Canada) 

 1897 Phenacomys ftngava Miller, Proc. biolog. soc. Washington. 21 Ap. 



1897. 11:84. 



Yellowish brown above; whitish below; face sujfused with reddish. Total 

 length, 150 (5|) ; tail vertebrae, 35 (1|) ; hind foot, 20 {ii). (celAtus; Lat., 

 secret) 



The large yellow-faced phenacomys ranges throughout the Hud- 

 sonian zone in Labrador and eastern Canada, south to southeastern 

 Quebec. It has not yet been taken in Nova Scotia or the United 

 States. 



Phenacomys latimanus Merriam Small yellow-faced phenacomys 



1 889 Phenacomys latimanus Merriam, North American fauna. 30 Oct. 



1889. no. 2, p. 34. (Fort Chimo, Ungava, Labrador) 

 1 897 Phenacomys latimanus Miller, Proc. biolog. soe. Washington. 21 



Ap. 1897. 11 : 83. 



Color as in P. celatus . Total length, 130 (5J) ; tail vertebrae, 30 (1^); 

 bind foot, 18 (H), (latimanus; Lat., broad hand) 



The small yellow-faced phenacomys ranges from western Labrador to 

 the north shore of Lake Superior. It is apparently confined to barrens 

 and open places, seldom if ever entering the dense forests inhabited by 

 the red-backed mice. 



