The zoology of the voyage of H.M.S. Beagle [vol. 2 of 5]

by G. R. Waterhouse

		In.	Lines.
Length	from nose to root of tail	4	3
	of tail	4	2
	from nose to ear	1	0½
	of tarsus	1	1
	of ear	0	5

Habitat, Port Famine, Strait of Magellan.

This mouse is larger than Mus Musculus; the tail is rather longer in proportion; the tarsi much longer; the ears are not quite so large in proportion to the head, (which greatly exceeds that of Mus Musculus in size,) and they are densely clothed with hair. The fur is longer. In colour, the animal here described is rather darker than the common mouse. I have one specimen however before me which very nearly agrees in this respect.

The dentition is figured in Plate 34, figs. 6, a. and 6, b.

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