Ö2 LEPUS NETSCHERr. 



fur passing , on the hind part of the animal into a fine 

 rusty tint. 



However we may consider our little animal, we must 

 acknowledge that , in the series of hares , it ranges next 

 to Lepus hispidus , but that in other respects , it is ano- 

 molous and stands by itself. 



In addition to the foregoing considerations I subjoin 

 here a note furnished by Kelaart, Prodromus Faunae 

 Zeylonicae , p. 72 on a small animal , living in the moun- 

 tains of Ceylon , which , perhaps , falls into the category 

 of Lepus netscheri and hispidus. Kelaart says: „an ani- 

 mal, called „a small hare" was described to us by a gen- 

 tleman in Newera Ellia, which makes us think that a 

 Lagomys also exists in the Island. This hare pursued by 

 dogs took refuge in the hollow of a felled trunk of a tree, 

 which it was made to quit only by smoking the hollow: 

 the animal was eventually devoured by dogs. This notice 

 will, we trust, attract the attention of some sportsmen 

 in the alpine parts of the Island, who may probably be 

 able to add another quadruped new to the Fauna of 

 Ceylon." 



In giving to our cmious animal the name of its 

 discoverer, I have been guided by the feeling of gratitude 

 towards a gentleman, who has shown so remarkable an 

 interest in the promotion of natural history. 



Dr. Jentink, one of the officers of our Museum has, 

 at my request, furnished the following details of the 



LEPUS NETSCHERI n. sp. 



The species about to be described is most curious and 

 unlike to all that is hitherto known about Hares, though 

 it does not present any perceptible difference in general 

 structure and proportions of skull and skeleton, the fur 

 is so strikingly colored , that one is reminded in this 

 respect of certain species of the Cat-family, 



Our new species is about equal in size to the common 



^otei^i from the Leydeii >Iu«eum , A'"ol. LI. 



