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Show 1896.] GENERA OF RODENTS. 1023 X. Bathyergidae. 109. Bathyergus, 111. Prodr. Syst. Mamm. p. 86 (1811). ] 10. Georychus, 111. Prodr. Syst. M a m m . p. 87 (1811). 111. Myoscalops, Thos. P. Z. S. 1890, p. 448. [Hellophoblus, Pet. M B . Ak. Berl. 1846, p. 243.] 112. Heterocephalus, Riipp. Mus. Senckenb. iii. p. 99 (1842). XI. Dipodidae. A. SMINTHINJE. 113. Sminthus, Keys. & Bias. Wirb. Europ. p. 38 (1840). B. ZAPODIN^E1. 114. Zapus, Coues. Bull. U. S. Geol. Surv. ser. 2, no. 5, p. 253 (1873). C. DiPODiNa;. 115. Dipus, Gmel. S. N. L p. 157 (1788). 116. Allactaga, P. Cuv. P. Z. S. 1836, p. 141. 117. Plcdycercomys, Brandt. Bull. Ac. Petersb. 1844, p. 209. 118. Euchoreutes, W . Scl. P. Z. S. 1890, p. 610. 1 The erection of the Zapodinm into a family has been advocated by Dr. Coues (Mon. A m . Rod. p. 461, 1877), and, as a consequence, the giving to tbe Bipodmcs and Pedetinm similar rank. Not only does this seem as unnecessary as it is inconvenient.but the characters of Sminthus,vecognized as a Dipodid only since Dr. Coues wrote, appear to make the correctness of Alston's view more evident than ever. For with typical Dipodine teeth, it possesses an absolutely Zapodine skull, combined with a more Murine form than even Zapus. Moreover, the recent discovery of Zapus in the Old World (Poussargues, Bull. Mus. d'Hi'st. Nat. 1896, p. 1) removes tbe geographical isolation which may have influenced Dr. Coues in tbe conclusion he came to. The three subfamilies here recognized are no doubt well defined from each other, but if in any general raising of rank all round, such as many people (Americans especially) are fond of these subfamilies are again made into families,it will have to be on some better ground than the untenable view adopted by Dr. Coues, that Zapus is as nearly allied to the Muridae as it is to the Jerboas. Pedetes, on the other hand, as appears below, should certainly be removed from tbe family, its differences from all the Dipodidae being infinitely greater than any of theirs from each other. PROC ZOOL. Soc-1896, No. LXVI. 66 |