40. Arvicola rutilus, Pallas.—Several examples of this North-European species of Vole were obtained on the Amoor.
41. Arvicola amphibius.—A single specimen of this European Vole, obtained by Herr Maximowicz, belongs to the short-tailed variety, A. terrestris, which is considered by De Selys, and other authorities, as a separate species. Herr von Schrenck himself observed others of the same species.
42. Arvicola saxatilis, Pallas.—Full and accurate details are given of this Vole, which has not been recognised since the time of its describer, Pallas, from a single example obtained by Herr Maximowicz on the Amoor. Pallas gives Transbaikalia and Mongolia as its habitat.
43. Arvicola maximowiczii nov. sp.—This new species of Vole is also due to the researches of Herr Maximowicz, whose name it bears. A single specimen only was obtained in October, 1856, on the Upper Amoor. Arvicola maximowiczii belongs to the typical group of the genus, as arranged by Blasius, being allied to A. arvalis (Pall.), and A. campestris (Blasius), and more nearly still to A. subterraneus of De Selys, though having rather longer ears.
44. Siphoneus aspalax, Pallas.—A single example of this singular animal, obtained on the Upper Amoor, agrees well with Pallas' Siberian species. No trace of it was met with on the Lower Amoor.
45. Castor fiber.—No traces of the beaver were met with on the Amoor or its confluents, though it is said that the Russo-American Fur Company obtained a skin in 1853–4, at their temporary station at the south end of Sachalin.
46. Lepus variabilis.—The Polar Hare is very common in Amoorland and Sachalin, adopting in winter the pure white dress (with the exception of the black ears), as in the typical European form.
47. Lagomys hyperboreus.—A pair of Lagomyes, obtained by Herr Maack in Amoorland, are considered to belong to this little-known Pallasian species. A comparison of examples from other parts of northern Asia seems to show that there are several varieties in the colouring of this animal, which appears to be the only Pika inhabiting this district.
48. Sus scrofa.—The wild hog of the Amoor seems specifically identical with the European Sus scrofa. No difference to speak of was found between two skulls of young individuals from Amoorland and others from the Caucasus. Brownish-black examples are spoken of as having been observed; but this colour is also sometimes to be seen in European specimens.
49. Ovis (Œgocerus) montana.[1]—No traces could be found of this
- ↑ We are very much disposed to question the fact of this Ovis being identical with the Ovis montana of North America. It is Ovis nivicola of Eschscholtz. Middendorf gives the spruce partridge of Canada (Tetrao canadensis) as occurring in Northern Asia; but his examples, on further investigation, were proved to belong to quite a different species (Tetrao falcipennis). The forms of the higher northern latitudes of the eastern and western hemispheres, though very similar, are, except in the polar regions, usually specificallv distinct.
