CONTBIBUTIONS TO THE NATUBAL HISTORY OF ALASKA. 205 



Family HYSTEICLD./E. Porcupines. 

 Genus Erethrizon. 

 Erethrizon dorsatus epixanthus (Brandt) Allen. 



This species occurs on the mainland, from the Arctic circle to the southern limits of the region, 

 and is occasionally found on the extreme western end of Aliaska. To this species has been given 

 the name Nunilt, a word of Aleutian origin and now transplanted among the people of the main- 

 land of Alaska. The Russian name is, however, quite different. The Innuit name is 1 Ian Tcu cJmJc. 



Family LEPOBID^}. The Hares. 



Genus Lepus. 



Leptjs timidus Linn e\ Polar Hare. 



Occurs most plentifully about the treeless areas, and prefers the dreary coast to the interior. 



Lepus Americanus americanus (Erx.) Allen. Northern Varying Hare. 

 Very plentiful throughout the wooded and bushy portions of the region. It seldom wanders 

 on the barren areas. Both species of hares are confined to the mainland, excepting the Polar 

 Hare, which is often found on Unimak Island, to which it travels on the ice formed over "False" 

 Pass. The smaller Hare does not occur on the western portion of Aliaska, hence does not reach 

 any of the Aleutian Islands. 



Order CHIROPTERA. Bats. 

 Family VESPEETILIONLDJE. True Bats. 

 Genus (?) 



A species of Bat is asserted to be quite plentiful on Kadiak Island, and ranges in summer as 

 far north as Fort Yukon and Nulato. 



To what genus it should be referred I shall not attempt to decide, as a specimen never came 

 into my possession while I was in the Territory. 



Order INSECTlVORA. Insectivores. 



Family SOBICLDJE. Shrews. 



Genus Sorex. 



Sorex forsteri Richardson. Forsterh Shrew. 

 This little creature apparently ranges throughout the territory, from the Arctic Ocean to tho 

 southern limits. 



Sorex cooperi Bachman. Cooper's Shrew. 

 (?) Sorex sphagnicola Coues. 



A species of Shrew was collected at Saint Michael's, but has been mislaid, and the determina- 

 tion of these insignificant creatures is too difficult to be attempted without greatstudy and sufficiency 

 of material for comparison. A species of Shrew occurs near the large lake at the head of the spit 

 on which Iliuliuk village is built. Specimens were not preserved, so that it is impossible to refer 

 it to any genus or species. 



Before dismissing the rodents, it may be well to state that no species of mouse, rat, or shrew 

 occurs on the extreme western islands of the Aleutian Chain. A number of the common house 

 mouse and rat are to be found on Atkha and to the eastward. The rats on Atkha are very large 

 and extremely vicious, often contending the pathway near the rocks, which shelter them from the 

 attacks of foxes and birds of prey. 



