288 MERRIAM 



Cranial characters. — Skull thin, light, rather long and narrow, 

 with slender zygomata and faint superciliary beads; incisive fora- 

 mina very long and open (remarkably large for size of skull) ; molar 

 series long (5 mm.) but not massive. 



Remarks. — The above description is based on specimens from Tum- 

 bala, Chiapas, which are believed to be fairly typical of the species 

 as redefined and restricted by Thomas (Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist,, 6 

 ser., vol. XL, no. 65, p. 403, May, 1S93). 



The species is very distinct, and appears to have no near relative. 

 Compared with jalapce., which it most resembles externally, it differs 

 materially in cranial characters. The skull is lighter, the rostrum 

 smaller, zygomata more slender, superciliary beads more nearly obso- 

 lete, palatal slits much longer and more open; molar series decidedly 

 longer. Compared with bullert, to which it bears less resemblance 

 externally, the cranial characters are closer. The skull agrees with 

 bulleri in size and general characters, but is somewhat lighter and has 

 larger palatal slits and longer molar series. 



Meas7irements. — Average of 5 specimens from Tumbala, Chiapas: 

 total length 252 mm. ; tail vertebrae 131 ; hind foot 30.5. 



ORYZOMYS GOLDMANI sp. nov. 



Type from Coatzacoalcos, Vera Cruz, Mexico. No. 78110 9 ad. 

 U. S. National Museum, Biological Survey Coll. April 11, 1S96. 

 E. W. Nelson and E. A. Goldman. Original number 95 n. 



Characters. — Size small ; ears rather large ; tail long ; color dull 

 fulvous brown ; skull narrow, smoothly rounded, with faint trace of 

 superciliary bead. 



Color. — Upperparts finely mixed fulvous and black, the black hairs 

 very abundant; underparts soiled buffy (in one specimen almost sal- 

 mon) ; tail dusky above, pale below. 



Cranial characters. — Skull small and light, narrow, smoothly 

 rounded, with hardly a trace of superciliary bead; nasals broad, 

 slightly exceeding premaxillce ; incisive foramina rather long; bullee 

 rather large and more globular than usual ; molars large and broad 

 (disproportionally large for size of skull), equalling those of the much 

 larger ya/a/^. 



Remarks. — This species differs so widely from its allies that close 

 comparison is unnecessary. Its nearest known relative appears to be 

 couesi from Coban, Guatemala, from which it differs not only in much 

 smaller size (both externally and cranially), but also in possessing 

 equally large and heavier (broader) molar teeth. In some respects it 



