BACK’S LEMMING. 
87 
convex surfaces, a flat outline, and a truncated extremity from which three 
small points project ; the palms are narrow ; the posterior extremities are 
considerably longer than the fore legs and feet, the thighs and legs being 
tolerably distinct from the body ; the sole is narrow, long, and somewhat 
oblique, having its inner edge turned a little forward ; the toes are longer, 
and the claws as long but more slender than those of the fore feet, and they 
are much compressed. 
In the Tawny Lemming the claws of both the fore and hind feet are 
compressed. 
COLOUR. 
Nose, deep black ; whiskers, black at the roots, brownish or white at 
the tips, some entirely white ; incisors, yellowish ; head, back of the neck, 
and shoulders, mixed reddish-gray, formed from the mingling of yellowish 
and brown and black-tipped hairs ; back, chesnut brown, with many of the 
long hairs tipped with black ; sides, reddish-orange ; belly, chin, and 
throat, gray, intermixed with many orange-coloured hairs. 
The colouring of this animal very strongly resembles that of the Tawny 
Lemming, except that its nose is deep black, whilst that organ in the latter 
is pale. 
Tail, dark brown above, grayish-white below ; feet, dark yellowish- 
brown above, whiter beneath. 
DIMENSIONS. 
Male, killed at Tort Tranklin. 
Incht 
Length of head and body, 5 
“ tail, 
“ head, 1 
“ ears, - - - - * 
“ whiskers, 1 
“ fur on the back, - 
“ palm and claw of middle toe, nearly - 
“ claw of middle toe, - - 
“ sole and middle claw of hind foot, 
Female 41 inches long. 
Lines 
6 
5 
4 
8 
9 
6 
2 
9 
HABITS. 
This Lemming was found in the spring season at Great Bear Lake, by 
Sir John Franklin, burrowing under the thick mosses which cover a large 
portion of the ground in high northern latitudes. 
