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Show 1905.] MAMMALS FROM ZULULAND. 273 But on the arrival of the fine series from Deelfontein, Namaqualand, and Zuurbron that have resulted from the Sloggett and Rudd collections, it soon appeared that this specimen belonged to quite a distinct species, different both in size and cranial characters, and of which we have had great pleasure in recognising a second specimen in the present example. The specimen, " No. 22972," used to illustrate P. crassicaudcitus in Mr. Lyon's recent work on Leporidse * is evidently also an example of this larger and rarer species. But as the two species both occur in or at least near Natal, the type locality of crassicaudcitus, and are very similar externally, the question has naturally arisen as to which is the original species described by Geoffroy. Fortunately Mr. J. L. Bonhote has been able to settle the question for us by taking over to Paris, and comparing directly with the type, an example of the smaller species from Natal collected by Mr. Wroughton. Judging mainly by the length of the foot and the quality of the fur, Mr. Bonhote is definitely of opinion that the type of crassicaudcitus is the smaller form, and we therefore now describe the larger one as new :- Size larger than in crassicaudcitus. Fur very distinctly harsher, as coarse as in a European Hare, while in crassicaudatus the fur is very soft, especially on the feet. Ground-colour coarsely grizzled black and pale buffy, the long hairs black with a pale buffy subterminal ring. Wool-hairs everywhere slaty-grey basally, but their tips blackish brown on the back, buffy rufous on the rump, and buffy on the sides. Head, and especially cheeks, clearer grey. Under surface reddish buffy, the centre of the belly more whitish. Front half of outer surface of ears pale greyish brown, its basal portion fringed with dull whitish hairs, its upper third narrowly edged with black, which disappears, however, on the extreme tip; inner surface of ear pale greyish white. Nape-patch dull greyish-brown, with but little tinge of rufous. Limbs buffy rufous, becoming more whitish on the digits. Tail not quite so bushy as in crassicaudcitus, deep reddish throughout. While the external distinctions from crassicaudatus are but little tangible, the skulls are extremely different, as may be seen by the following contrasted descriptions :- In P. rudcli the skull is large (see measurements), heavily built, the muzzle broad and heavy proximally, and the frontal profile convex. Postorbital wings proportionally small, the posterior angle between them and the brain-case broad and open. Anterior shoulder of zygoma-root strongly projecting forward. Palatal foramina large, broad mesially, narrowing posteriorly, where they are constricted by the sharp inwardly-directed edges, which entirely hide in this region the Avails of the nasal chamber below them. Sphenoid openings on each side of the front half of the presphenoid narrowed to mere slits. Bui he very small, considerably surpassed by the paroccipital processes. * Smiths. Misc. Coll. vol. xiv. (1904). 18* |
