Exploration of the Colorado River of the West and Its Tributaries Explored in 1869, 1870, 1871, and 1872, Under the Direction of the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.

Page 233, Coues on Geomys and Thomomys - G. Castanops.

COUES ON GEOMYS AND THOMOMYS - G. CASTANOPS. 233 but we must wait for this to occur, and be attested by intergrading specimens, before we need hesitate to describe G. tuza as a " distinct species." The earliest notice specially referable here appears to be the unmistakable description by S. L. Mitchill of the u Hamster of Georgia," and various allusions are made by other writers to the same animal. The Mus tuza* of Ord unquestionably belongs here, being based upon Mitchill's animal. A short though expressive diagnosis is given by Rafinesque, with unwonted accuracy, of Geomys pinetis. This name, or its emended form G. pineti, has been generally applied, excepting by Audubon and Bachman, who, ignoring Rafinesque, rename the animal Jloridana, and refer it to Say's genus Pseudostoma. The species puts in the customary second-hand appearance under the supervision of several systematic compilers, few, if any, of whom appear to have had much knowledge of their own upon the subject. The geographical distribution of the species is remarkably limited. I have no knowledge of its occurrence anywhere excepting in Georgia, Florida, and Alabama. The Savannah River is said to form a complete barrier to its northward extension. Its westward limit is not so precisely defined; but it does not appear to reach to the Mississippi, where the other species is found. Audubon and Bachman have nothing particular to say of the habits of this species in comparison with G. bursarius, beyond the statement that it does not become dormant in winter. The best account of its habits, and particularly of its mode of constructing its underground galleries, is Dr. Gesner's article above quoted. GEOMYS CASTANOPS, (Bd.) Lee. Pseudostoma castanops, BAIRD, Stansbury's Rep. Great Salt Lake, 1852, 313.-AUD. & BACH., Q. N. A. Hi, 1854, 304. Geomys castanops, LEG., Proc. Acad. Nat Sci. Phila. 1852,163.-BAIRD, M. N. A. 1857,381.-BAIRD, P. R, R. Rep. x, 1859, Gunnison and BeckwiWs Route, Mamm. 8, pi. 10, f. 2. Geomys darkii, BAIRD, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1855, 332.-BAIRD, M. N. A. 1857, 383, pi. 50, figs, la-g.- KENNERLY, P. R. R. Rep. x, 1859, Whipple's Route, Mamm. 13.-BAIRD, U. S. Mex. Bound. Survey, ii, pt. ii, 1859, Mamm. p. -, -.-GERR., Cat. Bones Br. Mus. 1862, 222. Chestnut-faced, and Pecos Gopher, BAIRD, II. cc. DIAGNOSIS.-Superior incisors with a single median groove bisecting the face exactly. Fore feet shorter, or not longer than hind feet; these and the * Evidently the same word as tuca, tuza, tucan, &,c.