400 



MURID^— EVOTOMYS 



1900. Craseomys, G. S. Miller, Proc. Wash. Acad. Set., ii., 87, a sub-genus of 

 EvoTOMYS based on Hypudaus rufocanus of Sundevall ; Thomas, Proc, Zool. Soc. 

 (London), 1906, 863 (genus). 



1902. EoTOMYS, C. J. Forsyth Major, Proc. Zool. Soc. (London), i., 107, a misprint. 



1905. Phaulomys, Oldfield Thomas, Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist, May, 493 ; a sub- 

 genus of EvOTOMYS based on E. smiihii of Thomas. 



Although but recently defined, the genus Evotomys has been 

 universally accepted, and (neglecting Mehlis's misprint) there 

 can be no doubt about its correct name. It includes a number 

 of somewhat generalised and primitive species, presenting 

 external characters, as in the proportions of the eyes, ears, and 

 tail, somewhat intermediate between lemmings, voles, and true 

 mice. The roots of the cheek-teeth recall the murines. The 

 lower incisors pass each to the buccal side of its m^, as in other 

 Microti, but at a lower level, so that the latter tooth is not so 

 markedly displaced. The tendency to adopt a rufous mantle 



arising from a dull or plumbeous 

 juvenile pelage is a development on 

 specialised and perhaps peculiar 

 lines. 



Although enjoying green food 

 these mice are not restricted to the 

 surface of the ground. They run 

 more actively than Microtus, jump 

 moderately well, but are unable to 

 bound like Apodemus. They are 

 fond of woods, where they climb 

 trees, though not to great heights, 

 devouring berries, fruits, and bark, 

 and in cold countries amass stores 

 of provisions. They may also eat 

 invertebrates, and, when oppor- 

 tunity offers, young birds or small 

 mammals. They swim well, and 

 inhabit a variety of situations, from 

 sandhills on the sea-coasts to moun- 

 tains. In the north they may in winter occupy a position 

 resembling that of the House Mouse of temperate regions. 



CO (3) 



Fig. 59.— Skulls of British Evoto- 

 mys from above — (i) E. glareolus 

 iritannicus, old, the cheek-teeth with 

 long roots ; (2) E. alstoni, old, the 

 cheek-teeth with long roots ; (3) E. 

 skomerensis, adult, the cheek-teeth 

 with short roots ; natural size. 

 (Drawn by M. A. C. Hinton.) 



