282 THE QUADRUPEDS OF ARIZONA. 
with interested attention, and learn something of the 
strange animals by which he is surrounded. 
The number of species resident in Arizona is not very 
great; but nearly all our North American families are 
represented, and some very fully, which gives to the 
country its full share of variety in its mammalian forms. 
At the same time, the individuals of many species occur 
in multitudes, and constitute marked features of the 
region in an economic, as well as scientific point of view, 
from the destructive agency,of some, or the value of 
others as furnishing food and clothing. About seventy 
species are accredited to the Territory ; though this esti- 
mate must be regarded as merely approximate, since our 
most accomplished naturalists are comparatively unfa- 
miliar with the full richness of the Fauna. Of this num- 
ber, perhaps not more than half are abundant, or from 
their size, habits, and general importance often brought 
to the notice of other than professed naturalists. A still 
larger proportion, though common enough, are very incon- 
spicuous on account of their diminutive size and retiring 
disposition, and, therefore, are but slightly known. But 
they should not, on these accounts, be considered less 
interesting and attractive. The shrew, the mole, the rat, 
rightly estimated, afford as wide a field for investigation 
and reflection as the bear, the deer, or the buffalo; and 
their careful study will as amply repay the naturalist. No 
single thing in nature is insignificant ; nor is there any 0b- 
ject incapable of affording both pleasure and instruction 
to him who will examine with that hearty enthusiasm, and 
in that true spirit of enlightened inquiry, which should 
be possessed by one who would call himself a naturalist. 
The following pages are prepared mainly from field- 
notes taken by the writer during his residence in the 
