HYDROMYS. 



101 



1. HYDROMYS CHRYSOGASTER, Geoffroy (1805). 



Eastern Water Eat. 



Fig. 4. 



FiL 



Fig. 6. 



Fig. 4. Under surface of skull to show palate and dentition (natural 

 size), a, Upper molars, enlarged, b, Side view of same, enlarged. 



Fig. 5. Side view of skull and ramus (natural size). 

 Fig. 6. Lower jaw. 



Head, ears, back, outer surface of hind limbs, the body behind 

 them, and the root of the tail grizzled black and buff", the former 

 color predominating ; sides of face and body, the entire under 

 surface, and the inner side of the limbs rich deep reddish-orange 

 or buffy-white ; outer surface of arms deep brown ; upper surface 

 of hind feet pale glaucous-buff, passing into brown on the tips of 

 the toes ; basal half of tail black, apical half white. 



Habitat. Eastern Australia and Tasmania, ranging at least 

 as far northwards as the Herbert River District. 



References. Gould, Mamm. Austr. iii. pis. xxiv. (H. chtyso- 

 gaster) and xxvi. (H. leucog aster); Thomas, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1889, 

 p. 247, pi. xxix. fig. 7 (anterior zygoma-root]. 



Note. The two forms here mentioned, though for many years 

 kept separate as distinct species, are now generally allowed to 

 be mere color varieties of one species. 



