The pouched rat; also a ground squirrel.
1812. The Gopher, is supposed to be a non-descript; it lives under ground, in the prairies, and is also found east of the Mississippi.—H. M. Brackenridge, ‘Views of Louisiana,’ p. 58 (1814). (N.E.D.)
1835. He is worming his [Mr. Van Buren’s] way to the presidency, and like a real Gopher, works more under than above ground.—‘Col. Crockett’s Tour,’ p. 172 (Phila.).
1839. I observed a dead gopher, (Diplostoma)—a small animal about the size of a rat, with large external cheek pouches,—lying upon the ground; and near it a full grown rattlesnake, also dead.—J. K. Townsend, ‘Narrative,’ p. 59 (Phila.).
1853. Out popped the little gopher, that finished piece of stripe and check, that miner, who digs deep in the ground. He, too, had left his mansion, and come to greet the morn.—Knick. Mag., xlii. 369 (Oct.). (Italics in the original.)
1855. The gopher is known in some localities as the camas rat, taking its name from a plant which is its favorite food. It lives beneath the surface of the earth, and throws up in an incredible short time an immense amount of dirt.—Herald of Freedom, Lawrence, Kas., May 19.
1858. Emigrants is a sort of cross between a ground-hog and a gopher, and is very hard on grass!—Knick. Mag., li. 439 (April).
