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Show 1871.] DR. J. ANDERSON ON RODENTS FROM YARKAND. 563 so observable on the latter region, where they are pure white, whereas on the dorsum and sides they have either long black points or are wholly black. Length of largest specimen :-Tip of nose to vent 9}f inches; nose to anterior angle of eye if inch; posterior angle of eye to ear ^-| inch ; greatest length of ear I inch, greatest breadth I inch ; length of fore foot and nails 1T 9 T inch ; length of hind foot and nails 1T 9^ inch. The hair of this species, and of the members of the genus generally, becomes much worn by age. This is doubtless due to their habit of life, and not to any disease produced by insects * ; for it is only observed, as a rule, on the parts exposed to friction, such as the lumbar region, rump, and sides, and is rarely, if ever, observable on the head or on the belly, and does not occur in the young, and only to a very slight degree in adolescents. I have received no less than nine specimens of this species from Ladak, all procured in one month and within a few days of each other, but I cannot state at what elevation they were found. It is worthy of note that six are females, three of which are adults, two adolescents, and one young; while the three males are all of one size, about 7\ inches long, but evidently not full-grown. The latter are paler fawn-coloured than the females of their own age, but slightly darker than the young female. There is altogether a greater intermixture of dark hairs in the adolescent females than in the males; and the hair on the back of the ears is more rufous in the former. Dr. Stoliczka (I.e.) states that it ranges all over the eastern portion of Ladak from 14,500 up to 19,000 feet, the probable limit of vegetation in these parts, but notes that Hodgson's specimens were from the Chumbi valley to the north of Sikkim, which would indicate that its eastern distribution is considerable. Dr. Hooker mentions a tailless Rat in the Lachen valley to the north of Kinchinghow at 16,000 feet, associated with a Marmot; but, from the elevation mentioned it is probable that the species is L. roylei, which appears to be identical with L. hodgsoni, Blyth, and L. nepalensis, Hodgson. The type of Blyth's species is in this museum, and was afterwards correctly referred by him to L. roylei; and as specimens of L. nepalensis, presented by Hodgson, are also before me, I am enabled to state that it in no waj' differs from L. roylei beyond exhibiting the slight variations of colour which are to be looked for and occur in all species. L. roylei takes the place of L. curzonice at lower elevations than 16,000 feet, its usual distribution, according to Jerdon, being 11,000 to 14,000 feet; but it probably extends up to 16,000 feet. It occurs in Ladak, Kashmir, on the Chor mountain, not far from Simla, and extends to the east through the high northern ranges of Nepaul and Sikkim. LEPUS TIBETANUS, Waterhouse. Lepus tibetanus, Waterh. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1841, p. 7• Lepus oiostolus, Hodgs. Journ. As. Soc. Beng. ix. p. 1186. * Stoliczka, I. c. |