MUS INFRALINEATUS. 197 



Hodgson has a Mus tarayensis, which appears to be not far removed 

 from M. decumanus. It is thus described by Dr. Horsfield, A. M. N. H., 

 1855. " Nearly allied to M. brunneusculus. Colour of the body and 

 head above dark-brown, delicately variegated with blackish and rufous 

 hairs ; a very slight gloss on the surface. Outer sides of the extremities 

 rather darker. Under parts from the chin to the vent, and inner parts 

 of the extremities, grayish-brown with a rusty shade. Tail shorter than 

 the body, tapering to an abrupt tip. Head lengthened and compressed, 

 muzzle gradually tapering to an abrupt tip. Mr. Hodgson's collection 

 contains a single specimen, and further observations are required to 

 confirm the distinctness of this species." 



Another rat that might be placed here is the following 



178. Mus infralineatus. 



ELLIOT, MSS. BLYTH, Memoir. M. Elliotti, GRAY, Br. Mus. Cat. 

 Mamm. (not Golunda Elliotti). M. fulvescens, GRAY, Cat. Hodgson's 

 Coll. ? 



THE STRIPED-BELLIED FIELD-RAT. 



Descr. Above, the fur fulvons, with the shorter hairs lead-coloured ; 

 throat, breast, and belly pure white, with a central pale fulvous-brown 

 streak ; tail slightly haiiy. 



Length of one, head and body 5 J inches ; tail not quite 5. Another 

 about 5 inches ; tail 4 J ; hind-foot 1^. 



I think it exceedingly probable that Gray's M. fulvescens, from Nepal, 

 is the same. It is described as, " fur pale fulvous, hairs very soft, lead- 

 coloured, with bright yellow tips, and interspersed slender black bristles ; 

 throat, belly, and beneath pure white ; in one specimen with a central 

 yellow streak." This is not included in the British Museum Cat. 

 Mamm. ; but there is a Mus Elliotti (distinct from Golunda Elliotti) not 

 described, which may be the same. 



Kelaart's rat, referred by him to M. asiaticus, may be the same. 

 " Fur soft, above pale-brown mixed with black, the sides ashy-gray ; 

 beneath pure white ; tail thinnish, shorter than head and body ; ears 

 large, slightly hairy ; limbs slender. Length, head and body 6 ; tail 5^." 



I saw specimens of this field-rat in Mr. Elliot's possession in 1848, 

 procured in the neighbourhood of Madras ; and I have twice obtained it 



