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Show 552 MR. O. THOMAS ON MAMMALS FROM NYASSALAND. [Nov. 1, the dorsal stripes nearly obsolete, only just distinguishable. Ears partaking of the general pallor, the anterior margin of their outer surface pale rufous instead of shining black, and their inner surfaces pale fawn. Upperside of tail scarcely darker than on the sides and below. Dimensions of the typical skin (approximate).-Head and body 128 m m . ; tail 118 ; hind foot 26'5. Hab. Bechuanaland. 18. GOLUNDA FALLAX, Peters. a. Ad. al. 3. This species bears such a close resemblance to the Indian G. ellioti, Gr., that it is very difficult to distinguish it. It appears, however, constantly to have only five posterior sole-pads as compared to six in its Asiatic ally. 19. DENDROMVS MESOMELAS, Bts. a-fi 6 in al. 20. MYOSCALOPS ARGENTEO-CINEREUS, Peters. a. Ad. sk. Zomba b-e. 4 yg. sks. Milanji Plain, 4000 ft. 17-19/10/91. f-n. 9 ad. & yg. al. While there cannot be the smallest doubt that these specimens really belong to Petero's species, it is an extraordinary fact that not even the largest of them has more than four cheek-teeth in place, the number characteristic of Georychus rather than of Myoscalops, so that it is difficult to understand under what circumstances the extra teeth are produced. Whether they are only formed in some individuals and not in all, or, as is more probable, are only developed in extreme old age, I am at present unable to decide. Specimens abnormally larger than the general average should be sought for by those having the opportunity, so that this most interesting point may be settled. The colour of the fur in the adult, or at least nearlv adult, skin b, confirms my doubtful identification1 of E m m Pasha's Mandera specimens with Peters's species, for while the present animal is unquestionably, from its locality, M. aryenteo-cinereus, its colour agrees precisely in tone with that of Emin's specimens, and it is equally different from that of Gray's G. pallidus, the peculiar pale colour of which still remains to be explained. Little variation is presented by the different specimens except in the case of the frontal white spot, which varies from 4 or 5 m m . in diameter to nil. The young specimens are, as usual, nearly wholly slaty grey, the buff tips to the hairs being a later product. 1 P. Z. S. 1890, p. 448. |