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Show 188.1.] ON RHYNCHOCYON AND PETRODROMUS. 103 4. Notes on the Species of Rhynchocyon and Petrodromus. By Dr. A. GUNTHER, F.R.S., F.Z.S., Keeper of the Zoological Department, British Museum. [Eeceived January 4, 1881.] (Plate XIV.) The specimens in the British Museum hitherto identified with Rhynchocyon cirnei (Ptrs.) differ so conspicuously from that species in their smaller size and greater length of tail, that I a m inclined to regard them as specifically distinct. Besides, they were obtained ten degrees further north than R. cirnei. The type of a third, and very distinct, species has been received quite recently from Dr. Kirk, who obtained it from the vicinity of the river Mombaca. The four species with which we are acquainted at present may be diagnostically distinguished thus :- 1. RHYNCHOCYON CIRNEL Rhynchocyon cirnei, Peters, Reise nach Mossainb., Saugethiere, p. 106, tab. 21-24. Upper part of the head, back, and sides yellowish brown, with numerous undulated, narrow, blackish transverse lines ; hairs on the thigh posteriorly chestnut-brown; six longitudinal series of round chestnut-brown spots on the back, the spots of the two middle series connected by a dark longitudinal band, and the two bands confluent in the sacral region; the spots of the outer series smaller and fainter. Ears and postauricular region ferruginous. Lower parts greyish brown. Tail blackish, terminal fourth white. Length to the root of the tail 300 mill.1, of the tail 220 mill. Vertebrae : 13 dorsal, 8 lumbar, 3 sacral, and 28 caudal. Hab. East Africa, 17-18° S. lat. (Boror). 2. RHYNCHOCYON MACRURUS, sp. n. Upper part of the head, the back, and the shoulder brownish yellow, grizzled black ; sides of the body bright chestnut-red, shading off into brown posteriorly; two black longitudinal bands in the middle of the back, confluent behind, and connecting two series of chestnut-brown spots; another series of similar spots on each side of the back. Ears, postauricular region, and lower parts uniform brownish grey. Tail blackish, with the terminal third white, the extremity being black again. Length to the root of the tail 255 mill.2, of the tail 243 mill. Vertebrae : 13 dorsal, 7 lumbar, 3 sacral, and 28 caudal. Hab. East Africa, 8° S. lat. (banks of the river Rovuma). Of this species we possess a stuffed example (with the skull), ob- 1 Peters says, "fast von der Grosse unseres Steinmarders." 2 The size of this species may be compared to that of a large rat 11* |