571 
U. S. P. R. R. EXP. AND SURVEYS-ZOOLOGY-GENERAL REPORT. 
process forms the outer margin of an elongated foramen, the anterior extremity notching widely 
the frontal hone. 
The skull of Lepus cuniculus forms a sort of connexion between these two groups. In this the 
post-orhital processes are widely divergent, and hound notches ; the muzzle is very slender in 
all diameters, and much elongated ; the width greater than the height. The nasal hones are 
very long. Compared with the skull of L. americanus, of nearly the same length, the muzzle 
is little more than three-fourths as high just anterior to the molars ; the nasal hones one-fifth 
longer. The incisors are larger. 
The next section embraces L. sylvaticus , bachmani, and artemisiae. Here the width of the 
skull is again almost half the length. The cranial portion of the skull is short, in comparison 
with the facial; its upper outline is very convex, especially in the portion occupied by the parietal 
hones; the posterior projection of the occipital hone is much below the level it exhibits in the 
other groups. The muzzle anterior to the molars is wider than high. The post-orhital 
process of the frontal hone is linear, and, projecting backwards, becomes anchylosed by its tip and 
terminal portion of the inner edge with the cranium (the suture visible, however); there is left 
a narrow, ovate foramen at the basal half or third of the process, the space enclosed not being 
quite filled up. Lepus auduboni differs only in having a very narrow interval between the 
posterior extremity of the post-orbital process, leaving a narrow notch instead of a foramen. 
Lepus trowbridgii differs still more in having the post-orbital process shorter and more diver¬ 
gent, so that the notch is more conspicuous, somewhat as in the first form mentioned. 
The remaining section, embracing L. aquations andpalustris, is most remarkable of all. Here 
the skull and incisors are much larger in proportion to the body (the latter especially) than in 
any others. The skull is narrow; the width, considerably less than half the length. The 
incisors of a skull of L. aquations, an animal apparently not heavier than L. americanus , exceed 
those of any I have ever seen, excepting one very large Lepus timidus. Another striking pecu¬ 
liarity is the entire fusion of the postero-internal margin of the post-orhital process of the 
parietal hone with the cranium so completely that the suture is not even visible. There is, 
therefore, neither notch, nor foramen, though the latter is indicated by a fossa. In one or two 
cases there is a small perforation in this fossa, hut very different in character from the foramina 
of the other groups. 
In addition to these prominent points of difference, there are some others : such as the shape 
of the lower jaw, the shape and size of the superior outline of the occipital hone, &c. I have, 
however, said enough to indicate the general fact of a relationship between peculiarities of skull 
and external form. The principal features, however, as described, will he brought out more 
prominently by the following synopsis and table of measurements of sixteen species: 
A. Skull very broad and high ; much curved ; the muzzle short; higher than wide, anterior to the molars. 
Post-orbital processes very large, widely divergent; bornding a wide notch. L. timidus. 
borealis. 
glacialis. 
americanus. 
washingtonii. 
campestris. 
B Skull narrower ; less curved above ; muzzle wider than high. Post-orbital processes very large, more 
parallel ; the posterior extremities nearly or quite in contact with the skull, but without complete 
fusion ; the foramen enclosed, long and wide. L. californicus. 
callotis. 
