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Show 1896.] FROM BRITISH SOUTH AFRICA. 803 6. Mus RATTUS, Linn. a. Ad. sk. 2 • Mazoe, Mashunaland, 18 May, 1895. /3. Im. sk. cS. „ „ 18 January, 1895. " Taken in the house, very common. Native name ' Gonzo.' "- J.ff.B. Collector's measurements, taken in the flesh, of a :-Head and body 188 mm.; tail 220 ; hind foot 34; ear 25. I cannot separate these two specimens from the brown form of M. rattus. It is the common House-Rat of the district. 7-9. MURES, spp. There are three Mice in the collection belonging certainly to two and possibly to three distinct species, which at present I will not venture to determine. The two larger ones, male and female, differ markedly in colour, one being nearly black and the other brown, but they agree fairly in the skulls and dentition as well as. can be judged, allowing for tbe great difference of age which exists between them ; they belong no doubt to Mr. Thomas's group which he has so well named " multimammate." The third, a male, may possibly be M. mariquensls, A. Smith, and belong to the group which has 3 - 2 = 10 mammae; but until further specimens are obtained I would rather uot assign any particular name to it. 10. ARVICANTHIS DORSALIS, A. Smith. a. Ad. sk. 6*. Mazoe, Mashunaland, 30 January, 1895. |3. Ad. sk. 2 • 33 13 y. Juv. sk. <j. „ „ 13 August, 1895. "Trappedin grass ; not uncommon. Native name ' Chewanga-ranga.'"- J.ff. B. Collector's measurements, taken in the flesh, of a:-Head and body 130 mm.; tail 134 ; hind foot 28 ; ear 17. This species seems very constant in colour throughout its extensive range, and there is little difference between the old and young, the latter being generally more rufous, the inner side of the ears more thickly clothed with short reddish hairs, and the tail more thickly covered with hair so as to almost hide the scales. The clearly-defined narrow black dorsal stripe seems never to vary. The fifth finger is so small that unless examined closely there appear to be only three toes on each of the feet; this character is shared by A. barbarus, L., and A. pulchellus, Gr. 11. ARVICANTHIS PUMILIO DILECTUS, subsp. n. a. Ad. sk. o* • Mazoe, Mashunaland, 2 August, 1895 (type). /3. Sen.sk. d1. „ „ 5 „ „ y. Ad. sk. 6*. „ „ 1 „ „ " Not uncommon. Native name ' Shanchey.' "-J.ff. B. Collector's measurements, in flesh, of type 95.11.3.25 in Brit. Mus.:-Head and body 106 mm.; tail 82 ; hind foot 20 ; ear 14. Skull: greatest length 27; breadth 14; basal length 23-5; henselion to back of palate 11-5 ; palate to foramen mag. 10 |