890 U. S. P. R. R. EXP. AND SURVEYS-ZOOLOGY-GENERAL REPORT. 
lined with, black, not appreciably darker on the middle of the back; the hairs are dark 
lustrous lead color at base, reddish brown near the end, and tipped with dark brown or black. 
The under parts generally are of a rather lighter tint of reddish brown, without the dark tips 
of the hairs, which are, however, lead colored at the base. There is a dusky suffusion around 
and behind the ear; the region about the mouth, the chin, and the region along the inner 
margin of the pouches, are of a similar dark ashy brown, or black; the inside of the cheek 
pouches is clear white, forming a marked contrast to the surrounding color. The feet and tail 
are grayish white, the colors of the hack running out on the upper surface of the. latter to 
beyond its middle. 
Detailed measurements. 
604. 1 
603. 1 
605. 1 
613. 2 
Inches. 
Lines. 
Inches. 
Lines. 
Inches. 
Lines. 
Inches. 
Lines. 
Nose to occiput, about_ 
1 
10 
1 
9 
1 
7 
eye_ 
10 
9 
ear__ 
1 
7 
1 
3 
root of tail„_ 
7 
6 
6 
9 
6 
6 
2 
end of outstretched hind legs.. 
7 
11 
Tail, from root to end of vertebrae.... 
hairs_ 
2 
6 
2 
2 
6 
8. 
2 
2 
3 
5 
3 
3 
1 
2 
uncovered portion_ 
2 
2 
4 
1 
9 
Ears, height posteriorly___ 
4 
height anteriorly__ 
3 
height internally above skull_ 
H 
3 
I 
3 
1 
4 
■width_ 
4 
Arm, between claws across shoulder. . 
6 
6 
length of fore arm_ 
10 
from elbow to end of claws.... 
2 
4 
fore foot to end of claws_ 
11 
lOf 
1 
longest claw__ 
H . 
6 f 
4 
4 
longest toe and claw___ 
Leg, from knee joint to end of claws.. 
2 
5 
tibia. ........._ 
6 
hind foot from heel to end of claws 
1 
2 
1 
2 
1 
1 
6 
longest claw__ 
2 
If 
3 
1 Skins. 2 Entire in alcohol. 
It is this species that is so well known, under the name of “ Gopher,” to the California 
farmer and horticulturist as a destroyer of the products of the farm and garden, and against 
which, in conjunction with the ground squirrel, (SpermopMhcs beecheyi,) such a variety of traps 
and poisons is prepared and announced, each more infallible than its predecessor. Preparations 
of phosphorus and strychnine appear to be most effective. 
I very little doubt that in this species is to he found the long lost and very little known 
Diplostoma bulbivorum of Richardson, described from a specimen in the museum of the Hudson 
