This mouse is remarkable for the great length and softness of its fur,
even among the species here described, most of which have very loose,
long and soft fur.
The molars of the upper jaw are figured in Plate 33, fig. 6, _b._—molars
of the lower jaw, fig. 6, _a_.
“Inhabits dry stony places, which character of country is general in
this part of Chile.”—D.
19. MUS NASUTUS.
PLATE XVII.—Fig. 2.
Mus nasutus, _Waterh._, Proceedings of the Zoological Society of
London for February 1837, p. 16.
_M. suprà obscurè flavescenti-fuscus, ad latera fulvescens; subtùs
obscurè fulvo tinctus: pedibus pilis obscurè fuscis tectis; unguibus
longis; auribus mediocribus; caudâ corpore breviore, suprà fuscá,
subtùs sordidè albâ: rhinario producto._
DESCRIPTION.—Muzzle very long and pointed, ears small, tail shorter
than the body, claws long and but slightly arched; inner,
rudimentary toe of the fore foot furnished with a pointed claw;
fur moderate, and slightly glossy: general colour yellowish brown,
of the sides of the body yellow, of the under parts pale yellow;
the chin, throat and chest whitish: feet brown; ears well clothed
with hairs, those on the inner side are most of them yellow, but
some are black. All the fur is of a deep lead colour at the base;
the hairs on the upper parts and sides of the head and body are
broadly annulated with deep golden yellow near the apex, and
blackish at the apex; on the upper parts long brownish black hairs
are thickly interspersed with the ordinary fur, but on the side of
the body they are less numerous, hence on this part the yellow
tint prevails; on the under parts of the body the hairs are
broadly tipped with pale yellow, and in parts with white: the tail
is but sparingly clothed with hairs, those on the upper surface
are of a dark brown colour, and those on the under are pale brown.
The incisors are very slender and of a very pale yellow colour.
In. Lines.
Length from nose to root of tail 5 2
of tail 2 8
from nose to ear 1 3
of tarsus (claws included) 1 0½
of ear 0 5