AMERICAN SOUSLIK. 
227 
dorsal line, becoming smaller half way down the sides. An indistinct line 
of separation between the colours of the upper and under surfaces appears 
high up along the hips and sides ; on the under surface, the hairs are 
nearly black at the roots, and are cinereous at the tips ; on the forehead, 
nose, and sides of the neck, there is a slight tinge of light yellowish-brown. 
Tail, on the upper surface, light yellowish-brown edged with whitish ; 
beneath, whitish, with a slight tinge of brown ; teeth, white ; nails, black. 
DIMENSIONS. 
Prom point of nose to root of tail, 
Head, 
Tail (vertebras), 
“ (to end of fur), - 
Length of heel to end of middle claw, 
Inches. Lines. 
- 8 9 
- 1 10 
- 1 
- 1 6 
- 1 4 
HABITS. 
In a letter addressed to us by the late Mr. Townsend he states that 
this handsome Spermophile, in summer inhabits the prairies near the 
Wallawalla, where it is rather common ; it becomes excessively fat, and is 
eaten by the Indians. It disappears in August and re-appears early in 
spring in a very emaciated state. We have heard from other sources that 
it lives in small families, like the Spermophiles, generally burrowing in 
holes, and that it is seen either sitting on the side of them or with the 
head partially protruded, but disappears in its underground retreat, on 
the approach of man or any other animal. 
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. 
This species exists on the western sides of the Rocky Mountains in 
Oregon, where the few specimens we have seen have been obtained. 
GENERAL REMARKS. 
Richardson described this species under the name of A. guttatus, an 
animal described by Pallas (Glir, tab. 6 B) existing on the Wolga in 
Russia ; but Buffon mentions of that species, that the name of Souslik is 
intended to express the great avidity that animal has for salt, which 
induces it to go on board vessels laden with that commodity, when it is 
often taken. We should judge that its American relative has less oppor- 
