1909.] 



R. E. IvLOYD : The Races of Indian Rats. 



39 



last are quite dififerent from the others as regards coloration of the 

 tail. Only those which were quite complete and freshly killed were 

 measured. vSeveral of them are immature. 



The measurements show that the tails of these rats are rela- 

 tively shorter than those of lowland rats It is obvious that the 

 rats of the Ayapata group do not differ in this respect from the rats 

 taken at the level of the lake. 



As regards colour the whole collection may be described to 

 gether, for in this respect the members of it collectively resemble 

 one another and differ from most lowland rats. The brownish 

 element in the fur is present, but in abeyance, so that the general 

 tone is dark grey. All of them appear white below, but two of 

 them have coloured breast stripes, and in some of the Ayapata 

 group every hair of the ventral surface is pale grey at the base ; 

 but at least three of this group have pure white ventral fur, A 

 few of them have scanty fur with bristles and spines, and scarcely 



