Subspecies of Paraxerus flavivittis, Peters. 309 
with pure white lateral stripes ; but when this dark pelage 
is worn out it is replaced by another in which the hairs 
have bright ochraceous tips, the general dorsal colour being 
brightened to a golden or fulvous hue. In this bright coat 
the ochraceous pigment invades or infects the lateral white 
stripe to a greater or less extent. The type of P. f. mos- 
sambicus may be cited as a perfect example of the dark phase, 
while the subject of the figure of P. flavivittis given by 
Peters * is no less definitely illustrative of the bright coat. 
The material now before me indicates that in P. f. mos- 
sambieus the outer surfaces of the fore limbs are at all times 
ochraceous. ‘The account of the type given by Thomas is an 
excellent description of the dark phase ; but even in the type, 
with the aid of the new material, the beginnings of the 
changes leading to the bright coat may be recognized. The 
ochraceous tint of the fore limbs gradually becomes more 
intense, and, creeping upwards over the shoulders and withers, 
it forms a bright-hued mantle covering part of the neck and 
the thoracic region of the back. As the mantle is perfected, 
the ochraceous tint invades the foremost part of each lateral 
stripe. ‘The ochraceous grizzle noted by Thomas on the top 
of the muzzle in the type becomes also more-evident as the 
change proceeds ; this grizzle gradually extends upwards and 
backwards until the whole top of the head acquires an ochra- 
ceous hue; but the region between the ears and the nape 
remains grey long after other parts of the dorsal surface have 
become ochraceous. From the posterior edge of the perfected 
thoracic mantle ochraceous-tipped hairs are gradually deve- 
loped backwards over the lumbar region and the rump, until 
finally the whole mid-dorsum, the deep-tinted band (which 
on each side intervenes between the lateral dorsal stripe and 
the flank), the flanks, and the outer surfaces of the thighs 
become fulvous—the tint, however, continuing to be brightest 
in the region covered by the mantle. The occipital patch 
and the lighter grey flank-areas are the last regions affected 
by the change. 
The tail-hairs appear to be subject to similar changes, but 
far more extensive material is required before this part of the 
subject can be elucidated. ‘The type in full grey pelage has 
the ventral surface of the tail strongly ochraceous; this is 
true also of uos. 80, 81, and 82 in the bright coat. Other 
specimens, as nos. 87, 88, and 89, with coats in an inter- 
mediate condition, have the lower surface of the tail grey, 
but on parting the ventral hairs many deeply hidden ochra- 
ceous hairs are revealed. 
* ‘Reise nach Mossambique,’ 1852, i. Taf. xxix. 
