" THE" COMMON STRIPED PALM SQUIRREL. 418 



and belly bright white. The skull measurements given above indicate 

 a narrower face and somewhat longer muzzle and the animal generally 

 is somewhat smaller. 



Type : 9 (B. M. 5. 4. 2. 3.) Original number 13 ; obtained by Major 

 Birrell, R.A.M.C., at Rawalpindi, 10th December 1900. Five speci- 

 mens (3 immature) presented to the Museum. 



There are other specimens in the collection which seem to show that 

 there are other local races deserving separation, but no localities are given. 



It would almost seem that palmarum is a South, and pennantii a 

 North Indian form, but there is not sufficient material available to 

 theorise profitably ; all that I can at present say is that they occur to- 

 gether on the West Coast at about 21° N. Lat. and even so much ' with- 

 out prejudice'. We know that in S. India where tristriatus occurs as the 

 Forest form, palmarum is found about human dwellings and cultivations, 

 where pennantii is the ' civilised' form, what is the Forest form? This 

 and the interesting question of geographical variation in the two species 

 must wait till more localised specimens are available. May I appeal to 

 members for specimens ? There is no difficulty in obtaining specimens 

 anywhere or at any time of the year ; printed instructions for ' mak- 

 ing ' specimens may, I believe, be obtained from our Hon. Sec. (if not 

 I shall be happy to furnish them to any one who will write to me) and 

 — experto crede — there is very little difficulty in ' making ' the speci- 

 mens — anv smart native servant can be taught to do it satisfactorily, 

 provided the measurements are personally verified. Any specimens will 

 be gratefully received by the Director of the Natural History Museum. 

 (Cromwell Rd., London, S.W.). 



It remains only for me to record my obligation to Mr. 0. Thomas of 

 the N. H. Museum for the advice, sympathy and encouragement he 

 has given and always been ready to give me, and I wish also to ac- 

 knowledge the kindness of Mr. Gerrit S. Miller of the United States 

 National Museum, Washington, U.S.A., who, though he himself had 

 only a limited time for work at South Kensington, repeatedly spared 

 some of it to help a beginner. 



