| OCR Text |
Show 256 EXPLORATION OF THE CANONS OF THE COLORADO. extreme of this race as above described, characterized by the purity of ;he gray and brown shades, absence of any decided reddish cast, and pure-white feet, tail, and throat. Specimens from Selkirk Settlement and thr Assiniboine region are identical. Others, from Idaho, Nevada, and Utah, are too nearly similar to admit of any intelligible noting of differences; though, as might be expected, there is a slight tendency to the characters of bulbi-vorus. A few specimens before me from Southern and Western Dakota, being those that Baird referred to "rufescens," with one from California, which he placed under "borealis," and one lately received from Fort Benton, Montana, are more decidedly reddish-brown than any of the above. They are unquestionably exactly what Maximilian called "rufescens." They are all considerably smaller than average talpoides; and, if I could satisfy myself that they were full-grown, something more would have to be said upon the subject. As it is, however, I can make out no satisfactory distinctions from ordinary talpoides. There are only five or six of these small rufous specimens before me; fuller series may indicate some tangible distinctions. The following measurements indicate the average dimensions, and, to some extent, the variation, of this species: Current number. Locality. Sex. From tip of nose to - Tail to end of vertebrae. Length of - Longest fore claw. Nature of specimen. c5 !>> W ?4 c8 w -+a E3 3 "o 0 0 (-5 •"3 H •4-3 o £ <D F-4 O fr •4-3 O £ 1 S 11515 11517 11518 11520 11522 Sour is River, Dakota .... Pembina, Dakota ....... X 9 $ $ $ 1.00 0. 75 0.90 0.90 0.95 1.60 1.40 1.60 1.50 1.60 1.75 1.60 1.70 1.90 1.80 7.00 6.25 7.50 7.25 7.00 2.50 2.75 2.50 2.75 2.60 1.25 1.15 1.20 1.25 1.25 1.25 1.25 1.20 1.20 1.20 0.55 0.55 0.50 0.45 0.55 Fresh. Fresh. Fresh. Fresh. Fresh. Pembina, Dakota ....... Pembina, Dakota . ...... Pembina, Dakota ....... NOTE.-The foregoing specimens, all adult, taken the same season (June to September, 1873), were carefully measured in the flesh by myself. Other specimens, from the same region, not measured in the flesh, carry the limits of total length from about 6 to about 8 inches, with a corresponding range of variation in other parts. The tail is taken from its true base-it appears about half an inch shorter in the dried state. The weight of these specimens ranges from 6 to 7 ounces. The girth of the chest is about 5 inches ; of the belly, 6.50. No. 11517, $ , has 12 teats-2 pairs axillary, 2 pairs pectoral, 2 pairs inguinal When fully distended, in the fresh state, the width across the cheek-pouches is the greatest diameter of the body. . • |
