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BASSARIS ASTUTA. 
our explorations of the western part of Texas. As far as we could ascer- 
tain, the northern limit of the range of this species is somewhere in the 
neighbourhood of the southern branches of Red river. As you travel 
south they are more abundant, and probably are found throughout all 
Mexico ; we were informed by our friend, the celebrated Col. Hays, the 
Ranger, that he saw them more abundant in the mountainous region near 
the head-waters of the San Saba river than at any other place. 
The Bassaris produces three or four young at a birth, as has been as- 
certained from the animal kept in confinement. 
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. 
This animal exists in Mexico, and is common in the immediate vicinity 
of the capital of that name ; our specimens were obtained in Texas, which 
appears to be its northern limit. 
GENERAL REMARKS. 
This species is called by the Mexicans caco-mixtle. It is mentioned 
no less than four times by Hernandez under the names of Cacamiztli and 
Tepe-Maxtlaton. The first specimens were sent to Berlin in 1826, by Mr. 
Dbppe, and the earliest scientific description was given by Lichtenstein, 
who named it as above. 
