THE PALE JUMPING SHREW 



took good care to see that they were hanging on 

 securely before she hopped away Hke a miniature 

 kangaroo." 



The Rock Jumping Shrew is about 5 inches 

 in length, not including the tail, which is the same 

 length as the body — sometimes the fraction of an 

 inch longer. The chief characteristic which dis- 

 tinguishes this species from the others already men- 

 tioned is a difference in the shape of the skull, 

 which is long and narrow. A study of the drawings 

 of the skull of the Black-eared Jumping Shrew in 

 comparison with that of the Rock Jumping 

 Shrew will make this difference apparent. 



When the external differences are slight, the only 

 sure method of correctly identifying a species is by 

 an examination of its skull and teeth. Now, in the 

 case referred to, if there was no external difference 

 noticeable, the fact of the two skulls and teeth being 

 so very different in shape and arrangement would be 

 sufficient grounds for making a new species of it. 



There are two local races of the Rock Jumping 

 Shrew, which have been named as follows : 



Elephantulus rupestris myurus ; Elephantulus rupes- 

 tris jamesoni, 



THE PALE JUMPING SHREW 



(Elephantulus inttifi) 



The Pale Elephant Shrew has been obtained 

 from the Transvaal, South- West Africa, and 



13 



