198 



like hac-k Imt more coarsely annulated, the distal third rufous -tipped 

 and aunulated with black ; below, intense buff, the black annulations 

 almost absent, the distal half clear rufous. 



Mkasueements. — For measurements see p. 204. 



Si'BCiMKNS WITH THIS APPEARANCE. — Three, all from the type 

 locality. 



Eemabks. — The squirrel of Great Kedan<:f Island is so extremely 

 variable that, but for a long range of intermediate examples, it would 

 be impossible to l>elieve individuals at either extreme of the series to 

 l)e of the same race and locality. A specimen most resembling forms 

 prevailing throughout the Peninsula area has been chosen for the type, 

 but at the same time, having regard to the unusual conditions of the 

 animal, it has been thought desirable to define the appearance of 

 others. 



These are at present only stages of evolution, but — on the principle 

 that when an animal, as a whole, commences to show in one direction all 

 degrees of variation from the normal it will, if undisturbed and un- 

 interrupted, eventually assume altogether the appearance of the extreme 

 variation — the most extreme form will at some future day be typical 

 of the race. In S. proteus of the Perhentian Islands, which follows, 

 the tvu-niug point has been already attained and the majority of the 

 animals there are now of the abnormal pattern. 



It is open, nevertheless, to choose one of the other forms described 

 lor the typical animal, since, however, the case be regarded, it .is an 

 incontrovertable fact that the Redang Island squirrel is now a very 

 distinct race and is on the way to become still more so. 



The different animals are, however, only varieties, and the case of 

 the island species is not analogous with that of *S^. vittatus in the 

 Peninsula, where there occur three forms, 8. miniatus, Miller, 8. pen- 

 inxularis, Miller,* and 8: subMeus, T. & W., which, although they 

 overlap and mingle on the borders of their distribution, are yet good 

 geographical races. 



The appearance of the extreme variety of this squirrel may be 

 explained by erythrism, but in no other member of the vittatus group 

 has this process been carried so far as to have brought about the com- 

 plete disappearance of the dark lateral stripe. Save in East Perhentian, 

 wliere the results of variation are equally marked, I do not think any 

 other island so small can be cited in which a single race of squirrel 

 exhibits so large a range of pattern and colouration. 



SCIURUS (VITTATUS) PERHENTIANI. 



Kloss, Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist. (8) vii., p. 118, 1911. 

 Type.— Adult male (skin and skull), No. 2,172/10, Selangor 

 Museum, collected on West Perhentian Island, off Trengganu, east 



* It is unfortunate that this name has been applied to the race it represents, 

 for the doniinent Peninsular representative of S. rittatux is S. viiviatus. 



