120 NORTHERN ZOOLOGY. 
[35.] 1. Arvicota Riparius. (Ord?) Bank Meadow Mouse. 
Genus, Arvicola. LacErEDE. CuVIER. 
Arvicola riparius. Orb, Journ. Acad. Sciences Phil. vol.iv. p. 305? 
Marsh Campagnol. Gopman, Nat. Hist., vol. ii. p. 67. 
A (riparius 2) supra hepatico-brunneus (ex fusco fuligneoque miatis), subter plumbeus, auriculis mediocri- 
bus pilis obvelatis, cauda longitudine capitis, pedibus albidis. 
Bank Meadow-mouse of a dull brown colour, intimately mixed with black; beneath bluish-gray: ears of a 
moderate size, nearly hid by the fur; tail the length of the head; feet white. 
It is so difficult to discriminate the different Meadow-mice by mere descriptions, 
that I have much hesitation in referring any of my specimens to those which 
have’ been named by authors. I have not had access to a museum containing 
many species; and their forms and colours differ so little, that figures, unless 
very accurate, tend rather to mislead. Five species are common in the Hudson’s 
Bay countries, exclusive of the lemmings ; and there are doubtless others which 
did not come under our notice. A considerable number have been described 
as inhabitants of the United States by Rafinesque, Ord, and others; but the 
American naturalists are by no means agreed about the species, and have applied 
the names variously. The Meadow-mouse which I have referred to Mr. Ord’s 
riparius, corresponds with the short account by that author in the Journal of 
Science; but the description of Mr. Ord’s specimen by Dr. Harlan, in his Fauna 
Americana, under the name of Arvicola palustris, differs in several particulars, 
and agrees more nearly with the Arvicola xanthognathus of the following article. 
The animal which I am now about to describe was procured by Mr. Drummond, 
near the foot of the Rocky Mountains. Its manners are analogous to those of the 
common water-rat (Arvicola amphibius), with which it may be easily confounded, 
although the shortness of its tail may serve as a mark of distinction. It frequents 
moist meadows amongst the mountains, and swims and dives well, taking at 
once to the water when pursued. It is distinguished from the other American 
species of this genus which have come under my notice, by the length and 
strength of its incisors, which are twice the size of those of the Arvicola xantho- 
gnathus, although the latter is the largest animal of the two. 
‘ DESCRIPTION. 
Shape—The head is rather large, and not easily distinguishable from the neck; the 
incisors are much exposed, and project beyond the nose; the upper ones are flattish ante 
