92 SOUTH AFRICAN MAMMALS 



frontal bones. The dentition is : incisors 1-1, canines 

 nil, premolars nil, molars 3-3 on either side, making a 

 total of ]6 teeth. 



There are a fair number of South African species 

 referable to twelve genera, which I will not describe in 

 great detail, owing to the fact that the smaller rodents 

 are of a difficult group to work at, and require more 

 than the average knowledge of anatomy possessed by the 

 amateur zoologist or field naturalist. 



Genus TATERA. 

 Gerbilles. Haarstaart Mnizen. 



Hat-like in build with long hairy tails, pointed snouts 

 and moderate ears only slightly hairy ; the hind feet are 

 long and possess four circular tarsal pads. 



They reside in subterranean burrows and feed on seeds, 

 roots, &c. Trouessart recognized four species, Tatera 

 lobengula, Tatera afer, Tatera brantsi and Tatera paeba. 

 .The latter is of a reddish orange colour above and white 

 below, whereas the first three are of a brownish fawn 

 paler or darker according to the species. 



Genus PACHYUROMYS. 



Closely allied to the true Gerbilles, but with much 

 shorter tails and the tympanic bullae of the skull much 

 swollen and enlarged. One species is found in Namaqua- 

 land, Damaraland and Bechuanaland (Pachyuromys 

 auricularis), which is of a tawny brownish colour with 

 a darker mottling of the thick short fur. 



Genus OTOMYS. 

 Water Rats, Vlei Eottcn. 



liat-like animals possessing short tails covered with 

 scales and bristles. Ears generally large, and hind feet 

 short. Trouessart recognized five species, but several 



