RODENTIA-SCIUR1NAE-—SCIURUS LUDOVICIANUS. 
253 
however, that the dusky squirrel from Louisiana is identical specifically with the fox-colored 
ones from the same locality, and that the same name must he borne by both. 
It will be seen from the table of measurements that the western fox squirrel follows the same 
law as the other American species in the diminishing size as the locality is more southern. 
This is most strikingly shown in the varying length of the hind foot. The table, however, can 
only be considered as approximately accurate, owing to the fact that most of the measurements 
were taken from dried skins. Next to the hind foot, the length of the tail to the end of the 
vertebrae and of the hairs is the most reliable measurement of the skin ; the length of body 
varies exceedingly with the amount of stretching or stuffing, while a skin long preserved in 
alcohol may shrink far within its original dimensions. 
Measurements from alcoholic specimens. 
Current 
Locality. 
Sex. 
Tip of nose to— 
Tail to end of— 
Length of— 
Nature of spe¬ 
number. 
Eye. 
Ear. 
Occip. 
Tail. 
Vert. 
Hairs. 
Fore ft. 
Hind ft. 
cimen. 
2371 
Cook co., Ill_ 
c? 
1.20 
2. 60 
2.75 
11- 
10. 
11. 
1. 85 
2.80 
Fox.. 
Entire,alcohol. 
2372 
Jackson co., Ill.. 
$ 
1.30 
2. 50 
2.75 
12. 
14. 75 
1.85 
2.85 
Fox.. 
Skin, alcohol. 
Measurements of skulls, 
Current 
number. 
Locality. 
Sex. 
Length. 
Width. 
1879 
Illinois _ _ 
$ 
2. 60 
1. 46 
2488 
Burlington, Iowa_ 
2. 62 
1. 59 
1765 
St. Louis_ 
2. 60 
1. 50 
1240 
Western Missouri_ 
2. 50 
1. 38 
1241 
.do. X . 
2. 50 
1. 38 
1143 
Prairie Mer Rouge, La_ 
2. 55 
1.42 
1205 
_do_ 
2. 62 
3132 
2. 57 
1.48 
3131 
_do_ ___ 
2. 55 
This beautiful squirrel is generally known throughout the southwestern and western States 
under the name of fox squirrel, a term derived from the pale rusty or fox-color of its under 
parts and tail. There are, as already mentioned, two other species going by the same name: 
one confined pretty much to the coast regions of the southern Atlantic and Gulf States; the 
other found chiefly in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. 
From the list of synonyms at the head of this article, it will be seen that I have thrown a 
great many supposed species of American authors under one name, and I trust I shall not be 
accused of any wanton action in so doing. With probably the largest collection of fo:£-colored 
squirrels before me ever gathered together, and those from wide-spread localities, I have found 
it entirely impossible to distinguish the differences referred to, especially as series from the 
same locality exhibited every shade of color, from dark chestnut, through bright brick red, to 
