_Condylobasal length._--From anteriormost projection of the premaxillae to posteriormost projection of the occipital condyles (a to a'). _Maxillary tooth-row._--From posteriormost extension of M3 to anteriormost extension of first unicuspid (b to b'). _Palatal length._--From anteriormost projection of premaxillae to posteriormost part of bony palate (c to c'). _Cranial breadth._--Greatest lateral diameter of braincase (d to d'). _Least interorbital breadth._--Distance between medialmost superior edges of orbital fossae, measured between points immediately above and behind posterior openings of infraorbital foramina (e to e'). _Maxillary breadth._--Distance between lateral tips of maxillary processes (f to f'). [Illustration: FIGS. 1 AND 2. Showing where certain cranial measurements were taken. x 3-1/2. (Based on _Sorex vagrans obscurus_, from Stonehouse Creek, 5-1/2 mi., W junction of Stonehouse Creek and Kelsall River, British Columbia, [Female], 28545 KU.)] In descriptions of color, capitalized terms refer to those in Ridgway (1912). In addition the numerical and alphabetical designations of these terms are given since a knowledge of the arrangements of these designations enables one quickly to evaluate differences between stated colors. Color terms which are not capitalized do not refer to any precise standard of color nomenclature. In the accounts of subspecies, descriptions, unless otherwise noted, are of first year animals as herein defined. Descriptions of color are based on fresh pelages. Unless otherwise indicated, specimens are in the University of Kansas Museum of Natural History. Those in other collections are identified by the following abbreviations: AMNH American Museum of Natural History CM Carnegie Museum ChM Chicago Museum of Natural History CMNH Cleveland Museum of Natural History FC Collection of James S. Findley HC Collection of Robert Holdenreid SGJ Collection of Stanley G. Jewett CDS Collection of Charles D. Snow AW Collection of Alex Walker NMC National Museum of Canada OSC Oregon State College PMBC British Columbia Provincial Museum of Natural History SD San Diego Natural History Museum BS United States Biological Surveys Collection USNM United States National Museum UM University of Michigan Museum of Zoology OU University of Oregon Museum of Natural History UU University of Utah Museum of Zoology WSC Washington State College, Charles R. Conner Museum In nature, the subspecies of _Sorex vagrans_ form a cline and are distributed geographically in a chain which is bent back upon itself. The subspecies in the following accounts are listed in order from the southwestern end of the chain clockwise back to the zone of overlap.