ALLEN: MAMMALS OF THE WEST INDIES. 207 



OCTODONTIDAE. 



Capromys pilorides (Pallas). 



Mus pilorides Pallas, Nov. Spec. Quad. Glir. Ord., 1778, p. 91. 



Mr. F. M. Chapman in his revision of the genus notes specimens of 

 this Cuban species from El Guama and San Diego de los Bafios in 

 western Cuba, and from Trinidad in central southern Cuba. The- 

 Museum of Comparative Zoology has specimens from Matanzas in 

 northwestern Cuba, and one from Puerto Principe in east central 

 Cuba. It appears to be commoner than C. prehensilis, and is known 

 locally as 'Hutia congo.' 



Although the teeth of this species are said to be similar to those of 

 C. prehensilis, this is rather understating the case; for in pilorides 

 the outer enamel folds are much deeper than in the long-tailed species, 

 a point that has apparently not hitherto been emphasized. 



Concerning Capromys elegans, described in 1901 by Latorre, there 

 seems considerable likelihood that it is merely a partially albinistic 

 and very brightly colored example of C. pilorides. It is based on a 

 mounted skin in the Madrid Museum (labeled as from Cuba), and 

 is briefly diagnosed as follows: "C. rufo-flavus, capite, cauda, pedi- 

 busque castaneo-fuscis, macula faciali minima, flava; macula alia 

 dorsali magna, lanceata, fusca, albo-limbata; pilis frontalibus erectis." 

 The tail is described as partly naked, due apparently to abrasion of 

 the hairs. The general dimensions of the skin are nearer those of a 

 small C. pilorides, rather than of C. prehensilis or even melanurus, to 

 which latter it is said to approximate in the shape of the head! The 

 measurements given are: head and body, 485; tail, 200; hind foot 

 without claw, 75. Until further evidence is forthcoming, it appears 

 better not to recognize this as a distinct species. 



Capromys pilorides relictus, subsp. nov. 



Type.— Adult male, skin and skull, No. 10,996, M. C. Z., from 

 Casas Mountains, Nueva Gerona, Isle of Pines, Cuba; collected 

 10 March 1902, by Walter R. Zappey. 



General characters. — Externally similar to C. pilorides of Cuba, 

 but smaller. Skull and teeth markedly smaller and more lightly 

 built throughout; postpalatal fossa differently shaped; premaxil- 

 laries extending back slightly beyond the nasals. 



