MAMMALIA. 133 
colours, in which the dark brown predominates on the crown of the head and dorsal line: 
there is more white towards the sides. On the under parts of the cheeks, on the chest, 
about the ears, and on the sides, a bright rust colour prevails. The ventral aspect is grayish- 
white, more or less tinged with the rust colour. The extremely short tail is closely covered 
with stiff white hairs that converge to a point at its end. 
The feet are clothed with long white hairs. On the fore-feet there are four toes, with a 
minute rudiment of a thumb, not armed with any nail whatever. The two middie toes are 
of equal length, and are each furnished with a disproportionately large claw, which is com- 
pressed, deep, very blunt at the extremity, and is there separated into two layers by a 
transverse furrow. The upper layer is thinner, the lower one has a blunt rounded 
outline. The latter has been described as an enlargement of the callus which exists beneath 
the roots of the claws of the lemmings and meadow-mice ; it appears to me, however, to be 
of the same substance with the superior portion of the nail. The outer and inner toes have 
curved, sharp, pointed claws. The hind-feet have five toes, armed with slender, curved claws, 
like those of the other lemmings. The two middle claws, however, in full-grown individuals, 
shew some approach to the peculiar form of those on the fore-feet. 
In the females and young, the subjacent production of the claws is less conspicuous. The 
description is drawn up from a summer specimen. In the winter, the tips of the hairs are 
white, but Hearne says the white colour of their fur never appears so pure as that of the 
ermine. 
DIMENSIONS. 
Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines: 
Length of body and head . ‘“ . 8 4 Length of tail . . ‘ . : 0 5 
re head. P j ‘ en 4 5, middle fore-claw 3 . 0 Ak 
