The zoology of the voyage of H.M.S. Beagle [vol. 2 of 5] : $b MammaliaWaterhouse, G. R. (George Robert)
Science
The zoology of the voyage of H.M.S. Beagle [vol. 2 of 5] : $b Mammalia
Waterhouse, G. R. (George Robert)
Beagle Expedition (1831-1836); Mammals; Zoology
The above account is drawn up from the same specimen as that from which
Mr. Bennett took his description, and which was brought from Chile by
Mr. Cuming, who states that the animal in question lives in trees, and
constructs its nest with grass.
In Mr. Darwin’s collection, I find an animal which agrees in all the
more important characters with the one above described, but differs in
being of a deeper colour, (approaching more nearly, in this respect, to
the common mouse,) and in having the tail a trifle shorter. The skull is
about ¾ of a line shorter, but its proportions agree precisely: the
proportions of the feet, and the general form of the animal, also agree.
This specimen is likewise from Chile, (Lat 37° 40′,) and, according to
Mr. Darwin, “overran the wooded country south of Concepcion, in swarms
of infinite numbers. Captain FitzRoy, on his return from visiting the
wreck of H. M. S. Challenger, had the kindness to bring me this
specimen. So destructive was this little animal, that it even gnawed
through the paper of the cartridges belonging to the people who were
wrecked.”—D.
MUS ELEGANS.
PLATE XII.
Mus elegans, _Waterh._, Proceedings of the Zoological Society of
London for February 1837, p. 19.
Eligmodontia typus, _F. Cuvier_, Annales des Sciences Naturelles for
March 1837. Tom. 7. p. 169. Pl. 5.
_M. suprà flavus, vellere pilis fuscescentibus adsperso, his ad
latera, et prope oculos rarioribus; pilis pone aurem utramque,
labiis, corpore subtùs, pedibusque niveis; auribus magnis; caudâ
capite corporeque paulo longiore; tarsis longis subtùs pilis
obsitis._
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