RODENTIA-SCIURINAE-SCIURUS HUDSONIUS. 
271 
The Sciurus hudsonius is thus a very strongly marked species, and is readily distinguished 
from any hitherto described by the various characters assigned. 
The amount of hair on the soles depends very much upon the latitude and season. The 
specimen described at length above is a winter one. In summer the sole is hairy posteriorly 
for about half the distance from the heel to the tips of the toes ; the region immediately behind 
the tubercles at the bases of the digits being naked. The isolated posterior tubercle of all 
towards the heel is also nearly naked, though coated with hair in winter. 
The tufting of the ears seems to vary in quite a similar manner, in some summer specimens 
the tufts being entirely wanting. 
The black line on the flanks, reaching from fore to hind legs, is quite variable in its appear¬ 
ance, being in most specimens wanting entirely, in others very faintly indicated. As stated, 
the amount of rusty chestnut varies greatly, sometimes diffused over the whole back, sometimes 
forming a broad or narrow dorsal stripe, in which the hairs are not at all annulated, and again 
quite inconspicuous. The upper part of the tail, however, always seems to retain its bright 
light chestnut or rusty, without annulation. 
Specimens from Halifax and Labrador present a very interesting difference from more southern 
skins in the much grayer cast of the under parts, the hairs at the same time appreciably annu¬ 
lated into black at tip, or subterminally. The fur is fuller, the tail well provided with under 
fur, giving a slight resemblance to that of the S. vulgaris , though it is not so cylindrical. 
These characters are indicated by Pennant, in his original description of the species from 
Labrador specimens. 
Specimens from Mississippi have the ear covered with short hairs ; the soles hairy to within 
a short distance of the digital tubercles. 
List of specimens. 
Catalogue 
number. 
Corresponding 
No. of skulls. 
Sex & 
age. 
Locality. 
When collected. 
Whence obtained. 
Nature of specimen. 
2367 
Labrador, latitude 56°_ 
Dr. J. B. Gilpin. 
Skin_ 
2368 
_do. 
2052 
Halifax, N. S - 
_do_ 
_ _ do __ 
2366 
_do__ 
16 
Montreal_ 
T. Broome_ 
1561 
2394 
Essex county, N. Y. 
_do___ 
Dr. S. E. Hale. 
843 
1904 
Q 
Aug. 14,1855 
Sept. 6,1855 
October, 1852 
S. F. Baird. 
850 
D. Welsh. 
187 
Detroit, Mich 
C. Fox_ 
186 
_do_ 
Mar. 10,1853 
98 
$ 
do 
May 8,1852 
do 
335 
1253 
Racine, Wis_ 
A. C. Barry. 
Mounted_ 
184-5 
Cleveland, Ohio 
Dr. J. P. Kirtland_ 
Skin -_ 
2464 
Meadville, Pa__ 
J. F. Thicks tun 
In alcohol_ 
2443-4 
Mount .Toyj Pa. 
J. Stauffer 
Skin. 
1673 
2495 
Carlisle, Pa_ 
S. F. Baird. 
2427 
Q 
_do. 
In alcohol_ 
2428 
Q 
....do. 
2429 
Montioel.o Miss 
Miss Teunison 
