. A history of British mammals . igenousto western Europe. The distribution of these forms is in favour ofsuch a theory; and the large size of the jaw from the Kirkdale Cave(see p. 636), assuming that specimen to be of Pleistocene age and reallyreferable to this genus, figured by Owen, could be explained by referringit to a forerunner of muralis. Our knowledge of the matter, however,is still far from sufficient to raise any such view above the rank of amere hypothesis. Description:—In outward form M. muralis agrees closely withmusculus, but differs in being rather larger, and in having the tai
. A history of British mammals . igenousto western Europe. The distribution of these forms is in favour ofsuch a theory; and the large size of the jaw from the Kirkdale Cave(see p. 636), assuming that specimen to be of Pleistocene age and reallyreferable to this genus, figured by Owen, could be explained by referringit to a forerunner of muralis. Our knowledge of the matter, however,is still far from sufficient to raise any such view above the rank of amere hypothesis. Description:—In outward form M. muralis agrees closely withmusculus, but differs in being rather larger, and in having the tail andfeet more robust. The width of the hind foot, measured across thebases of the outer toes, is about 4 mm., instead of 3-5 mm., as inviusculus. In general colour the back is rather lighter than in ordinaryspecimens of musculus, the bases of the hairs are slaty, and while mostof them have sepia-brown tips, a certain proportion are rufous-tipped,and give the animal a grizzled appearance. The under parts are bright PLATE The Field Mouse. THE ST KILDA HOUSE MOUSE 66^ buff or buffy white, this colour being clearly separated from that of theupper surface by a well-marked line of demarcation. ant. cint.
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, booksubjectmammals, bookyear1910
