1909. 1 R. H. Lloyd : The Races of Indian Rats. 



75 



with some slight temporary success in the struggle for existence 

 owing perhaps to their being prepotent and of exceptional fertility. 

 Their colour must be a disadvantage to them, rendering them 

 conspicuous. 



This opinion is favoured by the fact that among some thou- 

 sands of the smaller Guuomys bengalciisis which were observed 

 in Calcutta by Dr. Hossack were two specimens which were of 

 exactly the same light buff colour ; they do not, however, possess 

 exceptionally large feet. These are evidently sports from Gunomys 

 bengalensis. 



Rng. 6 — 



A tailless sport from Gunomys varius. 



This rat was preserved as a pet at one of the collecting stations. 

 The official in charge told me that he had reared it because of its 

 strange abnormality. It showed no trace of the lost appendage, 

 and even when quite young no scar was visible. It was evidently 

 a congenital peculiarity. Such a sport would have little chance of 

 becoming established, as it would probably be shunned by other 

 rats. 



Rng. 7, Gunomys hengalensis — 



Rats of this species make up about 15 % of the rat population 

 of Rangoon. At first sight a collection of these rats appears to 

 exactly resemble a collection of the same species made in Calcutta. 

 The proportions of bod}^ and skull are the same in the two cases. 

 They show the same range of variation. The first four adults 

 which came to hand were measured ; they were part of a large 

 batch which were captured in a stable. 



In colour these four were as closely alike as in size, but it would 

 not be accurate to say that they represented the type of Gunomys 

 hengalensis present in Rangoon. They may be referred to as type 

 A of Rng. 7. 



Another specimen was selected— type B. This measures 184, 

 150, 35, 30- The fur of this rat contains much longer bristles and 

 is of a dark reddish brown colour. Rats of type A have dull grey- 

 ish brown fur and short bristles. 



