76 



Records of the Indian Museum. 



[Vol. Ill, 



There was another type — C — of which three specimens were ob- 

 tained on two occasions, but all three were from a village named 

 Dalah on the outskirts of the city. It happens that these three 

 are of nearly the same size as those of type A. 



They differ from the others in that the fur is nearly devoid of 

 bristles and is soft and silky to the touch. They also seem to have 

 broader skulls, but more material would be necessary before this im- 

 portant point could be proved. It would be possible to enumerate 

 many other types. These, however, were the most distinct that 

 were met with during the few days of my visit. 



After describing these types it is perhaps necessary to explain 

 the statement that the species G. bengalensis is common to Rangoon 

 and Calcutta. If two chance-taken specimens, one from each 

 place, be laid side by side, it is most unlikely that they would re- 

 semble one another closely in colour, size, or proportions, 3^et a 

 single specimen from one place could be very closely matched by 

 searching among large numbers of specimens from the other place. 

 The rats of type C, however, were not quite like any of the Calcutta 

 specimens ; they were more like the soft-furred Punjab type. In my 

 opinion, the types A, B and C, which are merely three of a 

 large number which could be made from the mole-rats of Rangoon, 

 show differences at least as great as those which are used to 

 separate " species " at the present da)'-. By searching among a 

 collection of many thousands taken from all parts of the city there 

 is no doubt that ever}'^ gradation between each type could be found. 

 The types are none the less separate because of this, however. If, 

 for example, twenty mole-rats are caught together in one stab e or 

 warehouse, they will almost always be of the same type, and onl}' 

 show slight individual variations amongst themselves. 



Rng. 8— 



A family group or localized race of Gunomys bengalensis char- 

 acterised by the pure black colour of its members. 



These are considered separately as, owing to their black colour, 

 they were remarkably different from all others of the species. In- 

 dividuals intermediate between the black and the normal greyish 

 brown forms were^ not met with. The occurrence of this group is 

 of such interest that it will be described in detail. It shows the 

 extent to which mole-rats have associated themselves with man. . 



