G L I R E S. 



39 



(il/. decumanus), that tliey might be pronounced a diminutive variety, 

 had we not found them inhabiting ishmds many thousands of miles 

 apart, but still retaining their somewhat peculiar habits, with but 

 little variation in size. The females have two pectoral and four 

 abdominal teats. In the arrangement and color of the teeth, the tex- 

 ture and color of the hair, the scutce of the tail, general form, and in 

 most specific characters, excepting size, the animal resembles the 

 brown or Norway Rat." 



" This species was seen on but one ' high' island, Tahiti. It seems 

 to prefer the low coral islets. It constructs a nest in the ' tussucks' of 

 grass, and makes shallow burrows, like an Arvicola. Its food consists 

 principally of the fruit of the Pandanus, evincing but little carni- 

 vorous appetite, as various species of land-crabs abound near their 

 haunts without being much disturbed, and the neighboring shores 

 afford abundant MoUnsca, the empty shells of which would betray the 

 fact, if such was the food of this Rat." 



" The animal before us has, decidedly, the habits of an Arvicola. 

 It is generally to be found in pairs, and when pursued is soon fatigued 

 and easily captured, but unlike the Norway Rat, it utters no cxy, 

 although it resists pertinaciously and bites severely. When pursued, 

 it sometimes endeavors to escape by ascending a tree, should any be 

 near." 



Mr. Peale gives the following table of measurements of specimens of 

 this species obtained at the various localities mentioned. 









Dog 



Disappointment 



Wake's 



HOLL'S 











Island. 



Island. 



Island. 



Island. 



TAHITI. 







Male. 



Female. 



Female. 



Female. 



Female. 







In. 



lOths. 



In. 



lOths. 



In. 



lOths. 



In. 



lOths. 



In. 



lOtha. 



Length of head and body, • 



5 



3 



6 



5 



5 





5 



2 



5 



4 



u 



tail, .... 



5 



3 



5 





5 



3 



5 



3 



4 



8 



a 



head, .... 



1 



5 



1 



4 



1 



4 



1 



6 



1 



9 





ears, .... 





6 









6 





6 





6 



n 



fore-arm, . 





8 



1 







9 





9 





9 



il 



fore-paw, . . . 





5 









5 





5 





5 



11 



tibia, .... 



1 



2 







1 



4 



1 



3 



1 



2 



11 



hind foot, 



1 



1 







1 



1 



1 



1 



1 



1 



Specimens from various localities are in the collection of the Expe- 

 dition. Though we are not without suspicion that this animal is either 



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