298 MICROTIN^ 



pair following the anterior loop in m^ are closed in 5 out of 8 

 specimens of ^. c. tarquinius, open in all 9 of ^. c. chinensis ; that 

 the second and third triangles (second inner, third outer angles) of 

 m^ are closed in 6 out of 8 specimens oi A. c. tarquinius, open in 

 7 out of 9 of ^. c. chinensis. The first outer infold of nfi is also 

 normally deeper than in A. c. chinensis, the first outer triangle 

 being as a rule substantially shut off from the anterior loop 

 instead of broadly confluent with it as usual in this genus and 

 in Alticola and some other forms. 



For external and cranial dimensions, see tables at end of 

 volume. 



2. Anteliomys wardi Thomas. 



1912. Microtus {Anteliomys) wardi Thomas, Ann. Mag. N.H., [8], 9, 



p. 516; Thomas, Ann. Mag. N.H., [8], 14, p. 473. 

 1923. Anteliomys ivardi Hinton, Ann. Mag. N.H., [9], 11, p. 154. 



Typc—QM., No. 12.3.18.15; skull of male, collected by 

 F. Kingdon Ward, and presented by the Duke of Bedford. 



Type locality. — Chamutong, Upper Salween drainage-area, 

 W. of A-tun-tsi, North-Western Yunnan. Altitude 13,000 feet. 



Range. — Widely distributed in the high Alpine meadows of 

 North-Western Yunnan, at altitudes of from 8000-14,000 feet. 



Characters. — Size, external form, and colour as in .4. chinensis. 



Skull slightly smaller and noticeably more depressed than in 

 A. chinensis. Braincase relatively small, low, and flattened above. 

 Anterior palatal foramina narrow throughout. Auditory bullae 

 very small, the basioccipital correspondingly broad anteriorly. 



Cheek-teeth essentially as in A. c. chinensis; m^ usually with 

 a vestigial trace of the third inner angle ; rrfi complex. 



For cranial and external measurements, see tables at end of 

 volume. 



3. Anteliomys custos Thomas. 

 (Synonymy under subspecies.) 



Range. — Mountains of North-Western Yunnan ; on the divide 

 between the Mekong and Yangtse-kiang rivers from A-tun-tsi 

 south-eastwards along the Li-chiang Range, at altitudes of from 

 9000-13,000 feet. 



Characters. — Size small; hind-foot 16-5-18-5 mm.; condylo- 

 basal length 25 mm. Fur long and soft; hairs of back about 

 11 mm. in length. General colour of upper surface rusty brown, 

 noticeably paler than in A. chinensis. Ears slightly shorter and 

 less prominent than in other forms. Hands and feet normal. 

 Tail relatively short, less than half the length of the head and body. 



Skull essentially as in other forms; ^ auditory bullaj rather 

 small, though slightly larger relatively than in A. wardi. 



1 Thomas describes his type as an " old male," and says of the skull 

 of this species : " upper surface smooth, rounded, without marked ridges, 



