various Fornm q/" Arvicanthis pumilio. 639 



found on the higli plateau south of Lake Nyasa (see below). 

 It is fairly constant in coloration, showing but a slight fulvous 

 tinge over the ground-colour of the back ; the dorsal stripes 

 are black and the interspaces differ in no way from the 

 general dorsal coloration. 



The normal measurements may be taken as : — 



Head and body 110 mm. ; tail 90; hind foot 21. 



Skull : basilar length 22 ; tooth-row 4*5 ; bulla3 5. 



The following are some actual measurements : — 



Basilar 



Hind length of Length of 



foot. skull. tooth-row. Bullae. 



4.9.1.59. $. Y. adult. 21 20-5 4-5 5 



4.5.1.74. 2. V. old.. 21 22 45 5 



(Type) 4.12.5.48. ^. Adult.. 21 21-5 4-5 5 



4.12.5.50. $. Old..., 21 21-5 4-5 5 



98.3.23.7. c?. V.old.. 21 21-5 4-5 5 



97.8.5.7. $. V.old.. 21 22-5 4-5 5 



I have named this species after Moshesh, the founder of 

 the present ruling dynasty of Basutoland. 



Arvicanthis pumilio nyasm, subsp. n. 



92.8.1.41-44. Mlanje Plateau, Nyasa. Alt. 6000'. Sir 

 H. H. Johnston. 



So far as the measurements go, on which I have chiefly 

 relied, I can find no difference between this form and Moshesh. 

 However, I regard the 600 or 700 miles which separate 

 their habitats as a strong argument for separating the forms. 

 nyasce is more sombre-coloured, i. e. less fulvous tinged, has 

 a stouter broader skull, and a slight difference in the shape of 

 the posterior molar, which is pentagonal or subcircular in 

 horizontal section, while in Aloshesh this tooth is laterally 

 compressed in an oblique direction acioss the jaw, sloping 

 backwards and slightly outwards. The skulls available are 

 much broken, but I quote the following measurements : — 



Basilar 

 Hind length of Length of 

 foot. skull. tooth-row. Bullae. 



92.8.1.41. ? Old 21 ? 4-5 ? 



(Type) 92. 8. 1. 43. ? Old 21 22 4-5 5 



