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Show 1877.] THE MAMMALS OF ASIA MINOR. 279 to the tail being strongly washed with bright rufous. Measurements (in spirits) :- inches. Length of head and body 4*25 ,, tail (imperfect.) ,, ear 0*45 hind foot 0.85 These dimensions considerably exceed those usually quoted ; but a specimen of the normal colour in the British Museum (collected by Mlokosievicz in Georgia) is nearly as large. This latter example shows a tendency to yellowish rufous below the ear. Altogether we are inclined to believe that this rare Dormouse will be found to be very variable in colour (as Alston has shown to be the case with Graphiarus murinusx) ; and we cannot help feeling very doubtful as to the specific validity of Mr. Blanford's Persian M. pictus2, especially as our Asia-Minor animal has a hind foot proportionally smaller than those of his type specimens. Ainsworth says that " the Great and Common Dormice " are found in the mountain-forests, probably meaning M. glis (Linn.), which is found in the Caucasus and Georgia, and the present species. [Mus RATTUS, Linn. The late Mr. Bennett described a Rat sent by Mr. Keith Abbott from Trebizond, under the name of M. latipes3. It has been doubtfully referred by Giebel to M. alexandrinus, Geoffr.4; but Bennett's diagnosis appears to accord best with the common Black Rat, which is known to inhabit the Caucasus and Georgia.] 29. Mus DECUMANUS, Pall. This species is stated by Ainsworth to be the common Rat of the country. 30. *Mus MUSCULUS, Linn. Sytchan. Common in buildings everywhere. One brought home is rather small in size and light in colour, the belly especially being very pale. 31. *Mus SYLVATICUS, Linn. Yaban sytchan (wild mouse). Probably common. A specimen was caught while running about on the surface of the deep snow, considerably above the tree-growth. Menetries obtained this species in the mountains of Talyche, and Canon Tristram on the plains of Palestine. 32. *Mus MYSTACINUS, sp. n. Dagh sytchan (mountain-mouse). (PL XXXI.) Ears moderate, nearly naked, when pressed forward they do not reach the eye. Whiskers very long. Tail nearly as long as the head and body, or even longer, sparsely haired except towards the tip. Upper parts mouse-grey, washed with black along the back, 1 P. Z. S. 1875, p. 317. 2 Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist, xvi. (1875) p. 311 ; East. Persia, ii. pl. iv. fig. 2. 3 P. Z. S. 1835, p. 89. 4 Algem. Zool. p. 555. |