1909.] 



R. E. L1.0YD : The Races of Indian Rats. 



71 



typical Mus decumanus. There is no darkening in the middle line 

 due to excess of black bristles. 



There are many other types ; some few are as red as any that 

 we have obtained from an^- part of India, that is to say, as red as 

 an English squirrel. Numerous intermediate types occur. The 

 soles of the feet are unpigmented, light grey, or mottled, the upper 

 surface is covered with white hairs, sometimes with light brown 

 hairs. 



This description is based on an examination of some hundreds 

 collected from different parts of the town. The rats from an}^ one 

 house, however, resemble one another very closely as a rule. 

 Together they form a definite race composed of innumerable 

 " family groups " which are in some cases as distinct as the species 

 of modern writers. 



It is difficult to find a suitable name for this race. 

 Several white-bellied rats with unicoloured tails have received 

 specific names in the Oriental region, especiall}' from countries 

 south of Burma. Among these Mus jalorensis, judging from the 

 description, comes nearest to an average member of the Rangoon 

 race. The feet of the " type " Mus jalorensis are described as dark 

 brown above with blackish soles. Individuals with deeply pigmen- 

 ted feet are rare among the Rangoon race. It is most improbable 

 that one chance-taken specimen from Rangoon would closely 

 resemble the ty^pe of M. jalorensis. It is, however, certain, in my 

 opinion, that if the " type " of the rat of Jalor were sent to Ran 

 goon, many individuals exactl}' agreeing with it could be selected 

 from any thousand of the rats of that town. This does not justify 

 the appellation of the name to this heterogeneous race, for it seems 

 equally certain that specimens agreeing exactl}- with some other 

 "types " of established species could be selected from among ten 

 thousand of the Rangoon race. A similar selection might be made 

 in Singapore or other large towns. 



In the proportions of the skull the race does not differ from 

 the Mus rattiis type so far as can be shown b}' measurements of 

 five chance-taken adults. 



