RODENTIA.
Reading edition
PARAMYS, Leidy.
"Extinct Vertebrate Fauna of the Western Territories," vol. i. Hayden's Surveys, p. 109 et seq.
This genus of the gnawers is very closely allied to the squirrels and marmots. Dr. Leidy sums up the generic characteristics of the teeth thus:
"The four lower molars are proportionately narrower than in squirrels and marmots, the fore-and-aft exceeding the transverse. The crowns are short, square, tuberculate, and enamelled.
"The lower jaw is proportionately shorter and deeper than in most known rodents; the reduction in length being mainly due to a less development of that part of the bone in advance of the molars. To compensate for the difference in length, and to make room to accommodate the incisors, these teeth reach further back than usual.
"The acute edge of the hiatus between the molars and incisors is almost on a level with the alveoli, of the teeth, instead of forming a deep concave notch, so conspicuous a feature in the jaws of the gnawers generally."
Species known.—
Loc. cit. { Paramys delicatus, Leidy. Paramys delicatior, Leidy. Paramys delicatissimus, Leidy.
Paramys robustus, Marsh.
Am. Journ. Sc. v. iv., p. 218.
Paramys superbus, sp. nov.
Established on a single lower incisor.
The species indicated by this specimen is the largest of the genus as yet known. The tooth is subtrihedral in section, is stout, and shows but little curvature. The anterior and lateral faces are broad, and the under margin to which the sides converge, is narrow. The enamel is thick and is inflected so as to cover a small portion of the sides as well as the front.
Measurements.
M.
Transverse diameter of crown ·0062
Fore-and-aft diameter of crown ·007
Found at Cottonwood Creek.