322 Mr. C. I. Forsyth Major on 



animal approaches the known species of Microgale {M. cras- 

 sipeSj M.-Edw,, excepted) more than those of Oryzoryctes ; 

 but by the characters of the skull and teeth it is different from 

 either, and would have better claims to be placed in a distinct 

 genus than the different forms of Microgale. To avoid this 

 the name of Oryzoryctes^ being the older one, is provisionally 

 adopted here. 



6. Oryzoryctes niger, sp. n. 



Very much like 0. tetradactylus in general appearance, 

 but entirely black above, with a more greyish tinge beneath. 

 Fur as in the former, somewhat less soft than in 0. hova. 

 Head a little broader behind and muzzle less produced than 

 in 0. tetradactylus. Fore foot tetradactyle ; claws as in 

 0. tetradactylus, slightly shorter than in 0. hova. The skull 

 is somewhat intermediate in shape between those of 0. tetra- 

 dactylus and 0. hova, though approaching closer to that of the 

 former, from which it is, however, at once to be distinguished 

 by the slightly broader cerebral cranium. 



Dimensions in millimetres of type specimen, 5 (M. 357) : — 



Length of head and body 106 ; length of tail 49 ; length 

 of manus 10"5; length of pes 16"5 ; length of ear 12*5. 



Marshes near Sirab^ (type specimen), native name voala- 

 vorano ; Ampitamb^. 



BeachyuromyS, gen. nov. 

 (Fam. Muridce.) 



Skull broad and massive. Upper profile of cerebral cranium 

 flattened. Supraorbital crests rounded off. Incisors and 

 rooted molars (^) large as compared to the size of the skull. 

 Crowns of molars flattened, not tuberculate. In young speci- 

 mens the crowns of the molars show three lobes of enamel, 

 united by cement and obliquely disposed (inclining forwards 

 with their outer portion), the posterior lobe in the upper, the 

 anterior one in the lower molars being the smallest. These 

 lobes soon unite together, forming various patterns, by which 

 the different species may be easily distinguished. Tail shorter 

 than usual in Murida?. By their broad, moderately flat- 

 tened, roundish heads and comparatively short tails these 

 Hodents recall somewhat the Voles in outer appearance. 



Type B. ramirohitra, Bartlett's " Nesomys betsileoensis^^^ 

 also belongs to this genus. 



* P. Z. S. 1879, p. 770. 



