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Show 1 9 0 5 .] MAMMALS FROM JAPAN. 343 17. N yctereu tes v iv e r r in u s Temm. 3 . 251. Washikaguchi, Nara Ken, Hondo. " Japanese name ‘ Tanuki.' "-M. P. A. 18. M ustela m elampu s Temm. 2 . Takamori, Kumamoto Ken, Kiushiu. The beautiful golden yellow of this fresh specimen shows a striking contrast to the dark general colour of the Hondo subspecies. 19. M ustela melampus b edfo rd i Thos. (Plate IX.) Mustela melampus bedfordi Thos. Abstr. P. Z. S. No. 21, p. 10, June 13, 1905 ; P. Z. S. 1905, ii. p. 183. 3 . 213, 254. $ . 217, 232. Washikaguchi, Nara Ken, east of Hiogo, Southern Hondo. This handsome form of the Japanese Marten, the first new mammal obtained by Mr. Anderson, has already been described, and a figure of it is now given to show its striking . colour-contrasts. It will no doubt prove to be the form found all over Southern Hondo, the true yellow melampus being a native of Kiushiu. I am informed that the two forms of the Japanese Marten are well known to the furriers, through whose hands many thousands of skins pass every year. " The Marten may be regarded as common in Nara Ken. Besides the specimens sent, I saw three other individuals which were shown me by peasants. It lives in the more remote parts of the forest, where its burrows are to be found beside rocks 01* stumps. Native name ‘ Teng.' "-M. P. A. 20. P utorius it a t s i Temm. 3 . 185, 186, Tsushima, Aiclii Ken, Hondo. 3 . 224, 225, 226, 227, 233, 245. Washikaguchi, Nara Ken, Hondo. cf. 281, 319. § . 308. Jinrio, Tokushima Ken, Shikoku. 500'. 3 . 427, 442. 5 . 405. Takamori, Kumamoto Ken, Kiushiu. 1850'. cf . 466. Kawachi, Miyasaki Ken, Kiushiu. 1500'. The Japanese Mink is evidently very common in Southern Hondo and Shikoku, as every collector sends a number of specimens. But in Northern Hondo Mr. Anderson does not seem to have met with it. In Hokkaido it is probably replaced by some representative of the P. ermineus group. " These animals infested the houses of the neighbourhood, presumably for the purpose of catching rats. All the specimens secured were trapped near houses."-M. P. A . P r o c . Z o o l . Soc.- 1905, V o l . II. No. XXIV. 24 |