210 Aiinalx of tlte SoittJi African Museum. 



Synonomy.This rat is found over the greater part of Africa, and it 

 is in consequence of this and of the fact that it varies to a great extent 

 throughout its range both in size and colour that it has received the 

 names recorded above in the synonomy ; it seems probable, however, 

 as M. Pousargues and Mr. Thomas have stated above, that there is 

 only one varying species. 



Dimensions (from a specimen in alcohol). Head and body, 3'60 

 (of a dried skin 5'0) ; tail 3 - 50 ; hind foot -85 ; from ear to tip of 

 nose 1-20. 



Distribution. The type of the species was obtained by Sir A. 

 Smith in Bechuanaland, and the species is also known from Damara- 

 land, while the South African Museum contains examples from the 

 neighbourhood of Cape Town, Namaqualand and Griqualand West ; 

 outside South Africa it is recorded from French Congoland and 

 Abyssinia through Central and East Africa and Nyassaland to 

 Mozambique. 



Mus COLONUS, BBANTS' EAT. 



Mus colonus, BRANTS, Mui/en, p. 124 (1827) ; SMUTS, Enum. 

 Marnm. Cap., p. 37 (1832) ; A. SMITH, S. Afr. Quart. Journ., ii. p. 

 154 (1834); ID., Illustr. Zool. S. Afr. Mam., pi. xlvii., lig. 3 (1849) ; 

 PETERS, Eeise Mozamb. Siiugeth.,p. 151 (1852); GRILL et SUNDEVALL, 

 Yictorin Zool. Anteck, k. Vet. Akad. Handl. Stockholm, ii., p. 18 

 (1858) ; THOMAS, Ann. Mag. N. H. (6), x., p. 181 (1892). 



Mus natalcnsis, A. SMITH, S. Afr. Quart. Journ., ii., p. 156 (1834) ; 

 ID., Illustr. Zool. S. Afr. Mam., pi. xlvii., fig. 2 (1849) ; MATCHIE, 

 Siiugeth. Deutsch Ost Afrika, p. 51 (1895); DE WINTON, Proc. Zool. 

 Soc., p. 807 (1896). 



Mus mariquensis, A. SMITH, App. Eeport Exped. Explor. S. Africa, 

 p. 43 (1836) ; DE WINTON, Proc. Zool. Soc., p. 803 (1896). 



Description. General colour very dark brown, almost black along 

 the middle line of the back owing to the admixture of long black 

 hairs, rather paler and more rufous on the sides, below dirty white 

 with dark slaty bases to the fur ; nose-tip white, ears oval, covered 

 with a few sparse brown hairs, feet rather slender, dirty white, tail 

 shorter than head and body, brown above, paler below owing to 

 the colour of the short, stiff bristles with which it is thinly clothed, 

 rings coarse and conspicuous, about 40 to the inch ; mammae 

 according to Thomas 10 in number 3 pairs pectoral and 2 pairs 

 inguinal. 



