142 BULLETIN 99, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



Boma, 1 (Heller); Isiola River, 1 (Heller); Kaimosi, 19, including 6 

 in alcohol (Heller); Kakumega, 2 (Heller); Kibabe, Nandi Hills, 

 Kisumu, 1 (Heller); Kisumu, 1 (Heller); Lake Naivasha, 12, in- 

 cluding 2 in alcohol (Loring) ; Lukosa River, 3 (Heller) ; Mission, 

 Kisumu, 1 (Heller); Mount Gargues, 13, including 1 in alcohol 

 (Heller) ; Mount Kenia, west slope at 7,000 feet, 1 in alcohol (Heller) ; 

 Naivasha Station, 10 (Loring, Mearns) ; Oljoro O Nyon River, 3 

 (Loring, Heller); Telek River, Sotik, 1 (Heller). 



As will be noted from the above list of localities, this species has 

 an extraordinarily extensive range in East Africa, much larger than 

 most species of small mammals known from the region. While 

 there is considerable variation in color and size it does not seem to 

 have geographical significance, and I am unable to divide the form 

 in any satisfactory way. The specimens from the vicinity of Kavi- 

 rondo Gulf average darker than any other large lot but the difference 

 after all is slight. The specimens from Lado, including the type of 

 Lemniscomys jjulcliellus micropus (Heller) are perhaps slightly 

 lighter in color than the average run of specimens from British East 

 Africa, but they can be matched almost exactly by skins in the 

 Naivasha series (type locality of massaicus) and the difference is 

 entirely too little to recognize as of subspecific value. It rnay, as a 

 matter of fact, be seasonal, as the Lado series was collected in Jan- 

 uary, while most of the East African material was taken at other 

 seasons. The Mount Gargues series, allowing for the particularly 

 fresh condition of pelage, is certainly indistinguishable from typical 

 massaicus. The species seems to be one of very constant average 

 coloration. Thomas, in writing of specimens of striatus from the 

 Upper Congo, has said: 



Allowing for their variation in color according to freshness of fur, there seems 

 remarkably little difference between these specimens and the E. -African A. massaicus, 

 on the one hand, and true W. -African A. striatus, including A. pulchcllus, on the 

 other. 



I can only distinguish our West African material by its slightly 

 richer color, and specimens from Liberia and Cameroons are, as Mr. 

 Thomas states, remarkably like the skins from British East Africa. 



As shown in the tables of measurements, there is virtually no 

 difference in size between specimens from all parts of the range. 

 Additional measurements of the hind foot in large series of mas- 

 saicus, give the following averages: Lado and L^ganda, 25.2 milli- 

 meters; British East Africa, excepting Mount Gargues, 26.1; Mount 

 Gargues, 25.7. These measurements were taken without claws, 

 from the dry skin. The measurement of the hind foot of the type 

 specimen of '^micropus," as printed in the original description is erro- 

 neous. It is there given as 23 millimeters, but the foot dry without 

 claws actually measures 24.5, and the collector's field measurement, 

 with claws, is 27 millimeters. 



