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Show 806 MR. W. E. DE WINTON ON SOME RODENTS [NoV. 17, 7. Juv. sk. d • Mazoe, Mashunaland, 20 August, 1895. 3. Ad. sk. d. „ „ 5 September, 1895. e. Ad. sk. d • „ 7 „ •(. Ad. sk. 2.- „ 7 Collector's measurements, taken in the flesb, of a :-Head and body 125 mm.; tail 9 ; hind foot 19. " Common. Native name ' Nota.' "-J. ff. B. This Rodent was described bv Mr. Oldfield Thomas in the Ann._& Mag. Nat. Hist. ser. 6, vol. xvi. 1895, p. 239 ; it is distinguished by the clearly-defined triangular pure white spot on the top of the bead. The young appear to be mouse-grey and much darker than the drab-coloured adult. II. M R . SELOUS'S COLLECTION. Since writing the account of Mr. Darling's collection, the following Rodents, collected and presented to the British Museum by Mr. F. C. Selous, have been received. The collection, containing nearly fifty specimens, was made at Essex Vale, about 4500 feet above sea-level, near BuluwTayo in Matabeleland, between the months of August and October 1895, and should have reached the Museum in the beginning of this year, but, owing to the disturbances in the lands of the South African Chartered Company, the case containing it was detained at Mafeking for more than six months. Besides additional examples of the two new species of Mus described above in Mr. Darling's collection, there are specimens of two undescribed species-an Acomys, which I have great pleasure in naming in honour of the collector, and a Georychus, named in honour of the " mighty hunter " ; the latter animal is of particular interest, as it clearly shows the geographical distinction in the fauna of these tw7o adjoining districts. Mr. Selous had the advantage of the services of Mr. J. Notman in collecting and preserving these specimens ; the skins are all of a uniform pattern, thus facilitating comparison enormously, and the skulls are in the most perfect state. I can safely say that this is the best preserved African collection that has ever been received by the British Museum. W e may hope to have the distinguished collector among us before long, as I am glad to say he is now on his way home, after tbe gallant defence of Buluwayo. A second collection which he had hoped to bring with him was unfortunately burnt by the Matabele at the outset of the rebellion, with the whole of the contents of the pretty homestead of Essex Vale. 1. GERBILLUS LEUCOGASTER, Pet. 6 skins, 7 skulls : 4 ad. d1, 2 ad. § . Sept. and Oct. " Trapped by a stream ; common."-F. C. S. There can be little doubt that these belong to Prof. Peters's species; unfortunately they are rather young, none of them having the teeth much worn. In contrast to the series of G. afer in |
