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Show 1905.] MAMMALS FROM JAPAN. 347 Japonica,' but that name, first used by Pallas for the Siberian Squirrel, was rendered invalid by its previous use by Kerr, as shown in Major Barrett-Hamilton's paper. 25. S ciu ru s lis Temm. $. 7. Takayu, near Yonezawa, Uzeu, Northern-Central Hondo, 3000'. 13 August. $ . 208. Nara, east of Hiogo, Hondo. d1. 242. 2 • 249, 250. Washikaguchi, Nara Ken, Hondo. The Uzeu specimen is in the red-footed summer pelage, without ear-tufts; the others are in the grey winter coat. By some curious error, Temminck has described the former pelage as that of winter, and the latter of summer, but even with only undated specimens available, it is difficidt to understand how such a mistake could have been made, as the difference in the quality of the fur is very considerable. Mr. Anderson did not send any true Squirrels from Kiushiu or Shikoku, but he tells me that they do occur there, though rare and local. Mr. Gordon Smith's collection contains examples of Sciurus lis from Shimosa, Misaki, and the Hiogo Hills, all in Southern Hondo. " These Squirrels were shot in the groves of pine-trees along the tops of ridges above the village. We found them scarce in the neighbourhood, the three secured being the only ones seen. Native name ‘ Kinezumi.' "-M. P. A. [G liru lu s (g. n.) japo nicu s Schinz. Myoxus elegans Temm. 1844. Although not included among Mr. Anderson's captures, the Japanese Dormouse needs a few remarks on its systematic position and nomenclature, which may conveniently be made here. Firstly in regard to its specific name. Temminck unfortunately gave it a title which was preoccupied (Graphiurus elegans Ogilbyr 1838* ; Myoxus elegans Wagn. 1843), and it was therefore renamed first, in 1845, by Schinz, who called it javanicus, and then in 1882, on the ground that javanicus was invalid owing to its incorrectness, by myself, with the name of lasiotis. But the plea of incorrectness is no longer admitted, and we are therefore forced to take Schinz's name. We may, however, look upon it as a misprint for japonicus, and amend it accordingly, for the statement " Habitat in Japonia " clearly shows that Schinz did not suppose it came from Java, and the accidental alteration of two letters only would make the difference. This course has been already taken by Wallace +, and is, I think, the best way out of the difficulty. With regard to the generic position of this Dormouse, I think it * References to all the names here mentioned are given in Reuvens, ‘ Myoxidfe ; p. 66 (1890). f £ Island Life/ 2nd edition, p. 395 (1892). |