122 NORTHERN ZOOLOGY. 
[36.] 2. Arvicota xantHoGNatuus. (Leach.) Yellow-cheeked 
Meadow-Mouse. 
A.xanthognathus. Lracu. Zool. Misc., vol. i. p. 60. t. xvi. 
A. (wanthognathus) badio nigroque varius (nec tamen maculosus) ventre argenteo-cinereo, malis fulvis, pedibus 
Suscescentibus subtus albidis. 
Yellow-cheeked Meadow-Mouse, with a brown and black dorsal aspect, silvery-gray belly, dull orange-coloured 
cheeks, and brown feet. 
DESCRIPTION, 
Teeth corresponding in number with the rest of the genus. Jncisors, pale-yellow, exte- 
riorly. Lower ones longer, paler, and nearly round. Upper ones shorter, stronger, slightly 
rounded, with even cutting edges. Of the upper molar teeth the posterior one is the largest, 
and has three grooves on its sides. The two anterior ones have two grooves each, making, 
in all, ten ribs or projecting angles, in the upper molar teeth of each side. Of the lower molars, 
the anterior one is the largest, and has four grooves : the other two have two each, forming, im 
all, eleven ribs, which correspond to the angles of so many triangles on the grinding surfaces. 
Form.—The body is nearly cylindrical, of the size of the water-rat, legs short, nose rather 
obtuse, its tip on a line with the incisors, Ears, nearly circular, rather large when compared with 
those of other meadow-mice, sparingly hairy within, well covered exteriorly with fur of the same 
colour with the rest of the superior parts. Whiskers, about the length of the head. Tail, 
shorter than the head, tapering, well covered with hairs, lying smoothly and coming to a point 
at the end. Evtremities—legs, covered with short hairs, lying closely and smoothly. The 
fore-feet have naked palms, and four toes, with a callus protected by a very minute 
nail, in place of a thumb; the first toe is a little shorter than the third; the second the 
longest, and the fourth the shortest. The toes are well covered with smooth hair above, and 
are naked below. The hair of the wrist projects a little over the palms. The claws are small. 
The hind-feet have five toes, of which the three middle ones are nearly equal in length; the 
outer one is considerably shorter, and the inner one is the furthest back and the shortest. 
The posterior half of the sole is covered with hairs, which curve inwards. The soles of the 
hind-feet are narrower and longer than the palms of the fore-ones. Fur, soft and fine; about 
four lines and a half long on the head, and nine on the posterior part of the back. 
Colours.—The colour of the fur, from the roots to near the tips, is shining grayish-black. 
On the dorsal aspect of the head and body, the tips of the hairs are yellowish-brown or black, 
the black-pointed hairs being the longest. The colour resulting is a mixture of dark-brown 
and black, without spots, and appearing of different shades when moved in the light. The 
sides are a little paler than the back. The under parts are of a silvery bluish-gray, darkening 
into blackish-gray on two large patches anterior to the shoulders. There is a blackish-brown 
