NO. 1976. TREE8HREWS: FAMILY TUPAIIDyE— LYON. 163 



some of them having no counterpart in the other genera. Dentally 

 it differs conspicuously from the other genera in lacking mesostyles 

 on the upper molars and in having distinct cingula on both upper 

 and lower molars. 



PTILOCERCUS LOWII Gray. 

 (Synonymy, type-specimens, etc., under the subspecies.) 



Geographic distribution. — The same as that of the genus, page 162. 



Diagnosis. — The same as for the genus, page 159. 



Color. — General color of upper part of head, neck, and body and 

 outerside of legs, isabclla color variously shaded with drab or drab- 

 gray, top of head usually lighter, sides of body with a more or less 

 distinct buff wash; underparts including innerside of legs varying 

 from gray to a rather dark buff, the latter more conspicuous anteri- 

 orly; a black or blackish mark extending posteriorly through the eye, 

 but not reaching base of ear, the black mark contrasting strongly 

 with the lighter colors of the head; distal portion (75-80 mm.) of plume 

 of tail, white or cream color, proximal portion (about 10 mm.) blackish 

 brown; the well-haired basal portion of the tail colored like adjacent 

 parts of body. (See Plate 7.) . 



Skull and teeth. — The same as for the genus, pages 160 to 162. 



RemarJcs. — Ptilocercus lowii is one of the most strongly character- 

 ized of mammals and can be instantly identified by its external as 

 well as cranial characters. It is quite rare in collections. Dr. W. L. 

 Abbott has collected over 6,000 mammals in regions where it is 

 known or supposed to occur, and has only encountered it twice. I 

 have seen 10 examples of the pentailed treeshrew, and know of two 

 others in the Leyden Museum which I have not seen. Ptilocercus 

 and Dendrogale seem to be of about equal rarity, at least in collec- 

 tions. This probably is due not so much as an actual rarity in nature 

 as to some peculiarity of habit, rendering them seldom observed and 

 difficult to trap. Observations on the habits of this animal are 

 scarce. Both of Doctor Abbott's specimens were caught in traps in 

 heavily forested hills. The Selangor ^ specimen was '^ captured in 

 its nest in a hollow bough. * * * The nest was merely a tunnel 

 about 3 inches in diameter and 18 inches in length, roughly lined 

 with fibrous material and green leaves." The original representa- 

 tive was caught in a house. Schneider's ^ remarks are interesting 

 and worth quoting in full: 



The natives did not know this little animal and simply called it, in response to my 

 questions, Tikuskaju — that is, Treemouse. The male of this pentailed treeshrew 

 happened to be brought alive to me by a Battak man employed in the vicinity in 

 woodcutting. Thereupon I hastened at once with the man to the exact spot where 

 he had obtained it, in the hope of perhaps yet capturing the female, and my joy wac 



1 Robinson, Journ. Straits Brit. Royal Aslat. See, No. 44, 1905, p. 225. 

 «Zooi. Jahrb., vol. 23. pt. 1, 1905, p. 84. 



