ELLOBIUS. 435 



Tail very short, hairy. Skull very different from that of Microtws, 

 the facial portion, zygomatic arches, and occipital crest being much 

 more developed, and the brain-case rounded, not depressed, conoidal 

 not oval in front, and with the occipital surface sloping backwards 

 from above. Infraorbital foramen sub triangular, less narrowed 

 below than in Microtus. Anterior palatine foramina very small, 

 nearer to the molars than to the incisors ; palate between molars 

 hollowed out on each side. Bull* small, depressed. Incisors 

 white, protruding greatly forwards. Molars similar to those of 

 Microtus. 



One species occurs in Afghanistan, extending to Quetta. The 

 only other clearly known form, E. talpimis, inhabits Central and 

 Western Asia and Eastern Europe. E. intermedius, lately de- 

 scribed by Scully from near Herat (J. A. S. B. Ivi, pt. 2, p. 73), is 

 referred to E. talpimis by Buchner (Mam. Przewalsk. p. 137) and 

 to E. fuscicapillus by Thomas, with whom I agree. It is possible, 

 as Buchner suggests, that E. fuscicapillus may be only a variety of 

 E. talpimis, but the cranial distinctions are considerable. 



308. Ellobius fuscicapillns. The Quetta Vole. 



Georychus fuscocapillus, Blyth, J. A. S. B. x, p. 928 (1841) (no 



description), xi, p. 887 (1842). 

 Myospalax fuscocapillus, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xv, p. 141; id. Cat. 



p. 126. 

 Ellobius fuscicapillus, Blanford, J. A. S. B. 1, pt. 2,p. 119: O. Thomas, 



Tr. L. S. (2), Zool. v, p. 59. 



Eur soft and long. Tail very short, thinly clad with moderately 

 long hair. Six pads on each hind foot, all elongate. In the 

 zygomatic arch the malar does not ex- 

 tend to the lower edge, where the max- 

 illary and squamosal processes meet. 

 The first and second upper molars have 

 each 3 inner and 3 outer angles, the 

 third 2 inner and 3 outer and the tooth 

 is but little shorter than the second. 

 The first lower molar has 5 inner and 4 

 outer angles (the anterior angle on each 

 side ill-developed), the second and third 

 3 on each side. 



Colonr^e rufescent sandy (bro^isb 



molars of B. fuscica- white) above, except the head, which is 

 pillus, x 4. dark greyish brown. Lower parts, feet, 



and tail white. Basal three quarters or 



more of the fur above and below dark leaden grey. No black- 

 tipped hairs on the back. 



Dimensions. An adult female in spirit measures : head and body 

 4'7 inches, tail 0-5, hind foot O8 ; basal length of skull 1*3, zygo- 

 matic breadth 1. 



Distribution. Originally obtained by Hutton at an elevation of 



