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Show 554 MR. O. THOMAS ON MAMMALS FROM NYASSALAND. [Nov. 1, Comparative dimensions of the typical skull and horns of the new race, and of a representative skull, of about the same age, of the true AH. melampus, collected by Burchell at Latakoo, Bechuanaland, in 1812. M. m. typicus. M. m. johnstoni. Skull. mm. mm. Basal length 260 255 Greatest breadth (at back of orbits) 127 113 Interorbital breadth 87 74 Least breadth of muzzle just anterior to orbits 74 60 Greatest breadth of muzzle just above the junction of m1 and m2. . 75 69'5 Palate, least breadth between alveoli of anterior premolars 34 29 Horns. mm. in. mm. in. Length round curves behind.... 569 = 225 402 = 159 Length in a straight line from base to tip 477 = 189 l 338 = 13-4 Greatest spread measured on the inner side of each horn 390 = 15"3 250 = 9-85 Distance from tip to tip 315 = 12-4 250 = 9'85 The skull and horns of specimen b, rather younger, with the horn-tips less worn, practically agree with the above-given measurements in every way. The discovery of this interesting animal is somewhat of a surprise, for as the true Pallah is found over nearly the whole of Africa south of the Equator, varying but very slightly in the size of its horns, one would hardly expect to find so distinct a race inhabiting Nyassaland, in the centre of the known range of the species. However, the marked difference in the size of the horns, which must result in a very different general appearance, combined with the great slenderness of the head, appear certainly to necessitate the separation of the Nyassa Pallah as a distinct subspecies, if not as a distinct species, from the true one, and this conclusion is fortified by the entire agreement with each other of the two specimens sent. That chosen as the type is rather aged, with worn teeth and horn-tips, while the second, b, although younger, has fully adult horns, as is shown by the character of their basal rings. I have connected with this beautiful Antelope the name of Consul- General H. II. Johnston, the Governor of the district, and the donor of the magnificent collection of Nyassa animals described in the present series of papers. 26. CEPHALOLOPHUS GRIMMI, L. a. Head. Zomba. 10/1/92. 27- MANIS TEMMINCKI, Smuts. a. Imm. sk. Blantyre. 1/1/92. 1 What sportsmen term "good heads'' have this measurement 20 or 21 inches (Selous and Willoughby). |