A SINGING HESPEROMYS. 761 
whose habits varied as their out-of-door allies do at present. Had 
they been specially created for subterranean life, we should have 
expected a much greater uniformity in the organs adapting them 
to a cave life than we actually find to be the case. 
Another fact of interest in this connection is the circumstance 
that these cave species breed slowly, being remarkably poor in in- 
dividuals ; they are nearly all extremely rare. Did they breed as 
numerously as their allies in the outer world the whole race would 
probably starve, as the supply of food even for those which do 
live is wonderfully limited. 
It is now known that animals inhabiting the abysses of the sea are 
often highly colored: light must penetrate there, for we know that 
were the darkness total they would be colorless like the cave insects. 
In view of the many important questions which arise in relation 
to cave animals, and which have been too imperfectly discussed 
here, we trust naturalists the world over will be led to explore 
caves with new zeal, and record their discoveries with minuteness, 
and the greatest possible regard to exactness. The caves of the 
West Indian Islands should first of all be carefully explored. 
Also those of Brazil, those of the East Indies, and of Africa, 
while fresh and most extended explorations of our own Mammoth 
Cave should be made, perhaps by a commission acting under gov- 
ernment or State authority, in order that the most ample facili- 
ties may be afforded by the parties owning the cave. 
A SINGING HESPEROMYS. 
BY REV. SAMUEL LOCKWOOD, PH. D. 
Some twenty years ago, it was, that the ‘‘ London Charivari” 
shot its shafts of ridicule at a singing mouse on exhibition in the 
metropolis. Thus put upon the scent, the firm of Pooh, Pshaw 
& Co., whose merciless power is alike feared by philosopher and 
peasant, ‘‘ went for” the showman and his ‘‘ phenomenon.” 
And so hard was the punch-ing, 
To that musical mus! 
