new Subspecies of Spalax monticola. 313 
Though in some ways paralleled in its variation by such 
genera as Ctenomys and Tachyoryctes, Spalax is peculiar 
in showing in nearly all forms a monotonous uniformity of 
external appearance. With the material now available no 
satisfactory outward difference can be detected between the 
various subspecies of S. monticola described or mentioned 
below; and, since much of the material before me is un- 
accompanied by collector’s measurements, further reference 
to the pelage may be omitted. The differential characters 
are to be sought in the skulls and deep down in the alveoli 
of the cheek-teeth. They require a great deal of patient 
work for their discovery and elucidation ; and we are above 
all indebted to Professor Méhely for the provision of such a 
wide basis for further work upon this most difficult genus as 
is afforded by his monograph. 
OF his section Mesospalax Méhely recognizes two species, 
viz., S. monticola and 8. hungaricus. In monticola 7,3 has 
two re-entrant enamel folds, one from the labial and one from 
the lingual side, in young stages of wear; while in hungaricus 
ouly the labial fold is present. When, therefore, in adult 
stages of wear, the folds are converted into enamel islands, 
which are long persistent, two are present upon the surface 
of x3 In monticola, but one only in hungaricus. The three 
new forms described below agree in this matter with monti- 
cola, of which, accordingly, they are treated as subspecies. 
1. Spalax monticola thermaicus, subsp. n. 
Hab.—The neighbourhood of Salonica. 
Type.—An adult male (B.M. 17.11.19. 1; skull, no skin) 
from the west bank of the Struma River, 12 miles south of 
Serres ; collected and presented to the British Museum by 
Captain H. 8S. Hollis, R.A.M.C. 
Material examined.—Six, represented by five skulls and 
three skins; of the skulls two are old, one adult, and two 
young, one of the latter being in fragments. 
Description—This is a medium-sized subspecies with a 
skull which agrees in most respects with that of S. m. tureicus, 
Méhely. S. m. thermaicus differs trom turcicus chiefly by 
the more reduced condition of its molar roots, and to a 
slighter degree by some features of the molar crowns as well 
as by some peculiarities of the skull and mandible. 
Skull.—A detailed comparison of the skull with the careful 
description of turetcus given by Méhely (op. cit. p. 115) shows 
that the skull of thermatcus differs in only two respects from 
that of turcicus. In thermaicus at all ages the parietals are 
