1909.] R. E. Lloyd : The Races of Indian Rats. 51 



The breadth percentage of the skull in twenty specimens of 

 Gunomys bengalensis taken from different parts of Calcutta varies 

 from 58-4 to 63-3, the average being 59-8 (Hossack). It has also 

 been shown that this percentage among Gunomys from the Punjab 

 and other places is on the average about 60. 



So far as we can judge from four specimens, the Gunomys of 

 Buldana form a distinct race ; it may be confined to a single set of 

 burrows, for the same peculiarity, though to a lesser extent, was 

 found among the rats of two adjacent houses in Rangoon. 



Rewa, Burwani and Dhar. 



From these neighbouring States in the west of Central India 

 we have received twenty-one specimens of Mus rattus. All are of 

 the brown-bellied type. Measurements of each have been received 

 and show that in proportions and size the common rats of these 

 districts are normal. Mr. Ahia Ali Klhan of Rewa has sent ten, 

 Mr. P. L. Bhattacharya of Burwani has also sent ten, and the State 

 Surgeon of Dhar has sent one. 



Neenmch. 

 Captain A. Meaden has sent four similar rats from this place. 



Sambalpur. 



Captain J . C. Gillmore has sent two specimens of Mus rattus ; 

 the lengths of these are 162 and 193 mm. There is nothing re- 

 markable about their proportions. The dorsal fur is of a reddish 

 brown colour. They are both of the pure white-bellied type, 

 every hair on the throat, breast and abdomen being pure white 

 from root to tip, and the white ventral surface is sharpl}- marked 

 off from the coloured sides. 



Bengal. 

 Calcutta. 



Dr. Hossack has dealt with the rats of Calcutta so fully that 

 little need be said in regard to them. Though admitting that the 

 material on which his conclusions were based was somewhat 

 limited, he was inclined to the opinion that the bandicoots of 

 Calcutta and Madras were of the same species. We have since 

 obtained a number of bandicoots from both Calcutta and Madras, so 

 that this question ma}- be re-opened. The meanings of the word 

 ' ' species ' ' are such that it is difficult to decide the question whether 

 these two groups should constitute different species or not ; there 

 is, however, no doubt that they are different races, and therefore, 

 according to modern systematists, should be regarded as different 

 species. 



The measurements of the bandicoots of Madras city will be 

 given presently. The measurements of six specimens from Calcutta 



