364 Mr. G. Dollman on the African Shreics 



(72) Crocidura cyanea, Duv. 



Sorex cyaneus, Duvernov, Mt5m. Soc. Hist. Nat. Strasb. ii. Supp 

 p. 2 (1838) ; Mag. Zool. p. 21, pis. xl. & xli. (1842). 



A dark slate-grey coloured species, probably allied to 

 argent at us. 



The description and plate given by Duvernoy show that 

 the colour is considerably more slaty and less rufous than in 

 argent at a ; it is possible that the specimen was immature 

 and in the slate-coloured pelage so often met with in young 

 individuals. The coloured plate is too ' ' artistic " to be of 

 very much use, but it was evidently intended to represent a 

 slate-grey shrew, such as is described by Duvernoy. Under- 

 parts rather paler than upper, but not markedly so. Backs 

 of hands and feet dirty buff. Tail slender, not conspicuously 

 paler on the ventral surface, bristle-hairs fairly numerous, 

 evenly distributed throughout nearly the whole length of 

 the tail. 



Skull apparently much as in argentata. 



Dimensions (as given by Duvernoy) : — 



" Le corps a 3 pouces 4 linges de long et la queue 

 2 pouces.'" 



Hab. "... la riviere des Elephants, au sud de l'Afrique." 



The dark slaty colour readily distinguishes this shrew 

 from argentata, which is considerably paler and washed with 

 reddish brown. 



(73) Crocidura electa, Dollm. 



Crocidura electa, Dollman, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. (8) vol. v. p. 17-"i 

 (1910). 



Allied to argentata, larger in size and darker in colour. 



Hind foot considerably longer, measuring from 13 to 

 145 mm. in length. 



Colour of dorsal surface darker and browner deep,,) 

 mouse-grey" speckled with " clove-brown "), very much as 

 in tuna. Ventral surface more slaty; extremities and tail 

 as in argentata. 



Skull larger than that of argentata, brain-case higher ; 

 teeth all larger, third upper unicuspid a trifle broader than 

 second. Last upper molar large. In general shape the 

 skull more resembles, that of luna, but is rather smaller and 

 has not the square-angled brain-case so characteristic of 

 luna and its allies. 



