GEORGIA GOPHER. 



31 



ing inland as far as Carrizo, on the Rio Grande; its range, together 

 with that of its subspecies fallax, thus coincides with the northern arm of 

 the arid tropical belt along the Gulf coast (see map 1, F). In external 

 appearance personatus much resembles G. lutescens of the Great Plains, 

 from which it may be distinguished at once by its larger size, larger 

 and more naked tail, and by important cranial characters. 



Geomys personatus fallax inhabits a small area on the Gulf coast of 

 Texas, immediately south of Nueces Bay. It is smaller and darker 

 than true personatus. 



HABITS OF THE GEORGIA GOPHER OR * SALAMANDER ' {Geomys tuza). 



(Frontispiece.) 



The Georgia Gopher inhabits the pine barrens of Georgia, and closely 

 related forms are found in similar tracts in Alabama and Florida. The 

 first description of the animal was written by a Member of Congress, 

 the Honorable John Milledge, Representative from Georgia. 



It was published by Dr. Mitchill in the New York Medical Repository 

 in 1802 (Vol. V, p. 89), and runs as follows: 



One of tlie little animals that burrows in the pine land, only known in Georgia, 

 was caught by Mr. Stephen Pierce, living midway between Savannah and Augusta. 

 Its body is of the length and thickness of a common-sized rat, and of the same color; 

 the head between that of a rat and a mole, with small whiskers and short snout; the 

 tail without hair, but shorter than that of a rat; the forefeet like those of a mole, 

 with nails near an inch long; the hind feet like those of a rat, but the nails not of 

 the same length, each foot haviug five claws; very sparkling small eyes; also short 

 ears; teeth like a squirrel, and full as long. On both sides of the jaw, externally, 

 are sacks or wallets where it deposits its food, and each will contain as much as can 

 be put in a large tablespoon. Little or no fur, and the hair of the length of a wood 

 rat. The whole face of the pine country is covered Avith little mounds made by this 

 animal, of the circumference of a peck, and from 6 to 8 inches high. It is by no 

 means active, but remarkably fierce. No common wooden place of confinement can 

 hold it long, as it gnaws its way out. It lives entirely on roots, and is very fond of 

 the sweet potato, and often proves injurious to the planter by getting under his 

 stacks. It appears to move nearer the surface in the spring and fall than at any 

 other season. It is surprising that though the work of this creature is seen through- 

 out the country, in the region of the long-leaf pine, and in that region only, yet such 

 is its skill in burrowing, and acuteness of hearing, that there is no animal in all our 

 State so seldom caught or seen. 



The best account that has been written of the Florida Pocket Gopher 

 is from the pen of the eminent director of the United States National 

 Museum, Dr. G. Brown Goode, by whom it was contributed to Coues' 

 monographic paper on the group, published in 1875. Dr. Goode kept 

 a number in confinement for several weeks and was thus enabled to 

 make the following interesting observations on their habits. He says: 



They may easily be confined in a wooden box, with sides 8 or 10 inches high, hav- 

 ing dry sand 2 or 3 inches deep on the bottom. No cover is necessary ; I have never 

 seen one look up from the earth, and have rarely known them to attempt to escape. 

 They require no water, and no food except sweet potatoes. A single potato of mod- 

 erate size will feed a salamander for three days. 



The senses of sight and hearing seem in them to be very dull. An object may be 

 held within a short distance of their eyes without attracting their attention; but 



