Sicamp-Rats of East Africa. 163 



Group 4. 



Nasals very broad anteriorly (more than 8 mm. in width), without 

 any sudden angular transition between the broad and the narrow 

 portions. 



(14) Olomys angoniensis, Wrought. 



Otomys irroratus migoniensis, Wrought. Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. (7) 

 vol. xviii. p. 274 (1906). 



A large species with very broad nasals, which narrow more 

 gradually than in the tropicalis group, the pattern more 

 trumpet-shaped than spoon-shaped. In tropicalis and its 

 allies there is usually a sharp constriction just posterior to 

 the expanded portion ; in angoniensis there is no such con- 

 striction, the sides of the nasals forming a simple trumpet- 

 shaped design, without the well-marked "neck" seen in 

 tropicalis. 



General colour rather like that of tropicalis, but more 

 coarsely lined with buff. Ventral surface of body strongly 

 tinged with buff. 



Skull about equal in size to tliat of tropicalis ; nasals 

 broadly expanded in front and narrowing gradually behind. 



Dimensions of the type (from dried skin) : — 



Head and body 175 mm. ; tail 90; hind foot 30; ear 21. 



Skull: greatest length 42; zygomatic breadth 20 ; breadth 

 of brain-case 15'6 ; length of nasals 19'7 ; greatest width 

 across nasals 8*9 ; depth from highest point of orbit to 

 alveolar border at front of vi^ 13"9; palatilar length 19 ; 

 length of upper molar series from front alveolar border to 

 backof«inO-7. 



Hah. M'Kombhuie, Angoniland, Nyasa. Altitude 8000 

 feet. 



Tijpe. Adult female. B.M. no. 2. 1. 6. 22. 



This species may be known by its long and broadly ex- 

 panded trumpet-shaped nasals. 



In the Museum collection are several specimens from the 

 type-locality and a few from the Shire Highlands and Zomba, 

 S. Nyiisaland, all referable to angoniensis, 



(15) Otomys angoniensis elassodon, Osg. 



Otomys angoniensis elassodon, Osgood, Field Mus. Nat. Hist. Publi- 

 catiou, 141, Zool. Ser. vol. x. no. 2, p. 10 (1910). 



Related to 0. angoniensis, rather smaller in size and paler 

 and greyer in colour. 



11* 



