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
From the attention which Mr. Darwin bestowed upon the Muridæ of the
southern parts of South America, I presume his collection affords
materials for a tolerably complete monograph of the species of that
portion of the globe. The species above described, however, does not
occur in Mr. Darwin s collection, but is here introduced in order to
make the work more complete, and that I might more clearly point out the
distinctions which exist between it and other species here described,
the account given by Mr. Bennett in the Proceedings being very short.
MUS ARENICOLA.
PLATE XIII.
Mus arenicola, _Waterh._, Proceedings of the Zoological Society of
London, for February 1837, p. 18.
_M. suprà fuscus, subtùs cinerescenti-albus, pallidè flavo tinctus;
auribus mediocribus rotundatis, pilis flavis fuscisque obsitis;
caudâ quoad longitudinem corpus æquante; pedibus cinerescenti-albis:
tarsis mediocribus._
DESCRIPTION.—Fur long, moderately soft; general colour deep brown;
sides of the body with a very obscure yellowish hue; under parts
dirty gray with a faint yellow tint. All the fur deep gray at the
base; the hairs of the upper part of the body obscurely annulated
with yellowish brown near the apex, and dusky at the apex; the
longer hairs are black. Feet brownish, covered above with
brown-white hairs; tarsi short. Tail short, blackish above,
brown-white beneath. Ears small, well clothed with hairs; those on
the inner side are yellow at the apex and gray at the base; on the
outer side they are of a brownish colour, and on the fore part
blackish. The hairs of the moustaches are short and slender, and
of a brownish colour. The head is large.
In. Lines.
Length from nose to root of tail 4 3
of tail 2 9
from nose to ear 1 0
of tarsus (claws included) 0 10
of ear 0 4½
Habitat, Maldonado, La Plata, (_June_.)
This species is rather larger than the common mouse; its head is
proportionately larger, the ears are smaller, the tail considerably
shorter, and the fur longer, and in colouring it is a little darker. In
size and colour it resembles _M. Magellanicus_, but the shorter tail and
tarsi, and the smaller size of the ears will serve to distinguish it.
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