Classification of the Otomyinae. 205 



1. Parotomys*, gen. nov. 



Genotype. B. brantsii (Otomys brantsii,, Smith). 



Skull short, high, considerably bowed. Its general shape 

 showing no trace of the characteristic form found in typical 

 Otomys. Muzzle narrow, the nasals not particularly 

 broadened anteriorly. Intei'orbital region not specially 

 contracted, its edges with well-marked thickened beads 

 and postorbital projections. Interparietal nearly as long 

 as broad. Bullae very large ; meatus with a strongly 

 projecting thickened collar on its anterior edge prominently 

 visible from above ; the meatal greater than the zygomatic 

 breadth of the skull. 



Teeth. Upper incisors with either one distinct and one 

 indistinct groove {Parotomys, s. s.), or with none at all 

 (subgenus Liotomys). Lower incisors without any trace of 

 grooves. 



Third upper molar with four laminal elements, the 

 posterior ones somewhat modified. Front lower molar also 

 with four, the two anterior partially coalesced. 



This genus is most distinct from the other Otomyince, no 

 forms being known at all intermediate in either skull or 

 tooth characters. It' may again be subdivided into two, as 

 follows : — 



1 a. Parotomys, s. b. 



Upper incisors with one distinct outer and one indistinct 

 inner groove. Zygomatic plate evenly convex anteriorly. 

 Palatal foramina short. Bullae nearly spherical. 



Genotype as above. 



1 b, Liotomys +, suligen. nov. 



Upper incisors quite without grooves, like the lower. 

 Zygomatic plate more or less cut back anteriorly. Palatal 

 foramina of medium length. Bullae more or less oval. 



Genotype : — 



Parotomys {Liotomys) littledalei, sp. n. 



Size and general appearance as in P. brantsii. Colour very 

 much as in the typical (Namaqualand) race of that species, 

 though slightly darker, and so verging towards that of 

 P. b. luteolus. The back rather darker than "cinnamon- 

 buff/' the sides and belly paler buff, the hairs very broadly 



* irapa, hes\de-\-Ofoi)ii/s. 

 t Atios -(- Otomi/s. 



