5G (»n rsEunoMYs mcciKst, 



but it is very apparent that such a designation is not at 

 all appropriate. The most prominent characteristics of the 

 species are the white tip to the nose, the white feet and 

 under parts, and the white hair of the tail. As a vernacular 

 designation the name "White-footed Rat" might be used, 

 but this would lead to confusion with the White-footed 

 pouched mouse (Smiuthopsifi leiicopus). Under the cii'cum- 

 stances the best vernacular designation appears to be the 

 "Long-tailed Rat." 



Mr. Oldfield Thomas has described (1906, p. 776) the 

 differences which exist between the members of the group 

 which are closely allied to P. higginsi, and in view of the 

 discrepancies which have existed in the past, the following 

 description of a recent Tasmanian specimen is given: — 



V Lake Fenton (3,500 feet), Mount Field, Tasmania. 

 March. 1922. Extreme tip of nose white. Whiskers black 

 and white, some over 2 inches long. Fur long, thick, and 

 soft. The general colour of the upper part dark brown, 

 tinged blue. The under fur being slate blue. Darkest 

 colouration on back, merging into pale brown on sides and 

 into greyish white on under surface. Upper portion of 

 tail similar to upper part of body. The whole of the under 

 poi'tion of tail white. Hairs on tail, especially on end, long. 

 Feet white. Upper incisors dark orange, lower light orange. 

 Ears rather large, tail longer than head and body. Claw of 

 fifth hind toe just reaches base of fourth toe. Five sole 

 pads on fore-feet, six on hind-feet. 



Dimensions: — Head and body 160 mm. 



Tail it:. 



Hind foot :i") 



Ear conch -7 



Muzzle to cur 40 „ 



LITERATURE CITED. 



1882. Iliggins, E. T., Pcttcrd, W. F. Description of 



hitherto undescribed Antcchini and Muridiv 

 inhabiting Tasmania. Papers and Proceedings 

 of the Royal Society of Tasmania, 1882, pp. 

 171-176. 



1883. Higgins, E. T., Pettcrd, W. F. Descriptions of New 



Ta.smanian animals. P. &. P. Roy. Soc. Tas., 

 1883, pp. 181-184. 



