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Show 1895.] THE MAMMALS OF ADEN. 553 shown by two co-types in the Museum collection, is simply the eastern representative of the Algerian M. shawi. The large burrows found among the bushes of Salvadora persica on the borderland between the desert and the cultivated ground appear to be the work of this species, although several other animals also inhabit them. Thus at the mouth of one burrow there were obtained examples of M.rex, Gerbillus famulus, Acomys dimidiatus, and a Lizard. M. rex appears to be on the move in the early hours of tbe morning until about 8 A.M., and the specimens brought home were with one exception shot at the mouths of the burrows. Owing, apparently, to these animals feeding on the green shoots of the Salvadora, which fermented and distended the stomachs, it was exceedingly difficult to get the specimens back to camp in fit condition for skinning, so rapidly did they spoil. 25. ARVICANTHIS1 VARIEGATUS, Licht. A-/. Skins; g-n. In spirit. Lahej. III. 95. This is the common Field-Rat of the neighbourhood of Lahej, and is to be found plentifully in the ditches separating the fields- in fact anywhere where the tall rank grass grows; it does not appear to venture into the desert, nor into the rank high reeds which cover the river-bed between Haithalhim and Zaidah. The present is, so far as we are aware, the first recorded instance of the occurrence of this genus, hitherto known as " Isomys," off A-frican soil. Although with slightly larger feet and tails than in examples from Egypt, these specimens do not appear to be specifically separable from the common form. 26. Mus DECUMANUS, Pallas. A. Aden. II. 95. Probably common, but no doubt introduced by sea. 27. MUS RATTUS TYPICUS, L. «. 2 • O n e specimen. Aden. 19. IV. 95. N o doubt also introduced fi-om some European ship. The marked difference between this and the indigenous M. r. alexandrinus is noteworthy. 28. MUS RATTUS ALEXANDRINUS. a-r. Aden, Shaik Othman and Lahej. 17 specimens. Very common and generally distributed; appears to be the common Rat of the neighbourhood. All the specimens are grey above and none have the reddish coloration of M. r. rufescens, Gr. 1 Less. N. Tabl. R. A. p. 147 (1842). Type " Lemmus niloticus, Geoffr." (= A. variegatus). Syn. Isomys, Sund. K. Vet.-Ak. Handl. 1842, p. 219 (1843). Type " Mus varieyatus." Thomas's attention was drawn to this unfortunate but necessary change by Mr. T. S. Palmer, of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, who has been devoting much labour to the subject of Mammal nomenclature. |