MUS INFRALINEATUS. 197 



Hodgson has a Mus tarayensis, which ajjpears to be not far removed 

 from M. decumanus. It is thus described by Dr. Horsfield, A. M. N. H., 

 1855. " Nearly allied to J/, bi-unneusculus. Colour of the body and 

 head above dark -brown, delicately variegated with blackish and rufous 

 hairs ; a very slight gloss on the surface. Outer sides of the extremities 

 rather darker. Under parts from the chin to the vent, and inner parts 

 of the extremities, grayish-bi-own with a rusty shade. Tail shorter than 

 the body, tapering to an abrupt tip. Head lengthened and compressed, 

 muzzle gradually tapering to an abrupt tip. Mr. Hodgson's collection 

 . contains a single specimen, and further observations are required to 

 confirm the distinctness of this species." 



Another rat that might be placed here is the following — 



178. Mus infi'alineatus. 



Elliot, MSS. — Blyth, Memoir. — M. Elliotti, Gray, Br. Mus. Cat. 

 JNIamm. (not Golunda Elliotti). — M. fulvescens, Gray, Cat. Hodgson's 

 Coll. 1 



The Striped-bellied Field-rat. 



Descr. — Above, the fur fulvons, with the shorter hairs lead-coloured ; 

 throat, breast, and belly pure white, with a central pale fulvous-brown 

 streak ; tail slightly haiiy. 



Length of one, head and body 5| inches; tail not quite 5. Another 

 about 5 inches ; tail 4^ ; hind-foot ly^^. 



I think it exceedingly probable that Gray's M. fulvescens, from Nepal, 

 is the same. It is described as, " fur pale fulvous, hairs very soft, lead- 

 coloured, with bright yellow tips, and interspersed slender black bristles ; 

 throat, belly, and beneath pure white ; in one specimen with a central 

 yellow streak." This is not included in the British Museum Cat. 

 ]Mamm. ; but there is a Mus Elliotti (distinct from Golunda Elliotti) not 

 described, which may be the same. 



Kelaart's rat, referred by him to J/, asiaticus, may be the same. 

 " Fur soft, above pale-brown mixed with black, the sides ashy-gray ; 

 beneath pure white ; tail thinnish, shorter than head and body ; ears 

 lai'ge, slightly hairy ; limbs slender. Length, head and body 6 ; tail 51." 



I saw specimens of this field-rat in Mr. Elliot's possession in 1848, 

 procured in the neighbourhood of Madras ; and I have twice obtained it 



