2 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 



result was a paper in the " P. Z. S." (Feb. 7, 1899, pp. 77-88, 

 PI. ix.) in which I described and figured as new species Mus 

 hirtcnsis allied to Mus sylvaticus, and Mus muralis allied 

 to Mus musculus. The paper was reprinted in this Journal 

 (July 1899, pp. 129-140) and will be found to contain a full 

 discussion of the two species as they were there designated. 

 The present specimens are useful for the purpose of verify- 

 ing their already described characters. 



Taking first Mus muralis, of which there are 1 3 

 specimens in all, the colour is remarkably constant and does 

 not show striking variations such as might be expected to 

 occur in a subspecies in process of formation, an important 

 point when it is remembered that, as regards its colour, this 

 Mouse is a very distinct form. 



The dimensions indicate a Mouse which, although of 

 somewhat robust proportions when compared with Mus 

 musculns, is far behind, especially in length of foot, Mus 

 musculus faroensis of the Faroes. The feet and ears are, 

 however, larger than in Mus musculus of houses, as the table 

 below will show. 



The following are the dimensions of the series : - 



Male, No. 3 



4 

 IS 



(JllV. ) 2 I 



Female, No. - 



2 . . 



5 



12 

 20 

 22 



(Juv.) 19 



13 



2 4 



Average of 9 adults, 3 males and 



6 females . . 84-6 81-4 17-4 13-16 



Average of 6 females from spirit 



on which original description 



was based . 85-1 81-5 16-5 12-9 



Average of and 9 f ^- '" 



faroensis (W. Eagle Clarke) 99 95-7 20-6 13-75 



Average of 3 s, 2 9 s of Jhts 



musculus proper measured by 



N. B. Kinnear . . . 83-4 83-6 16-6 12-2 



