58G 



^Ir. (). Thomas on neio 



restricted to a slioiter urea at tlie base. Dorsal white streak^< 

 harely extending on to the loins (about 280 mm. from com- 

 mencement on crown), not " to hips.'' Brush at end of tail 

 very thick, the hairs attaining 110 mm. in length. Fur of 

 back coarse, sparse, not very long (hairs about 30-35 mm. in 

 length), less mixed with wool-hairs than in 0. mapurito. 



Skull of ab(Uit the same size as in tropicoUs^ smaller than 

 in mapurito. 



Dimensions of the type (measured in the flesh) : — 

 Head and body 417 mm. ; tail (vertebra*) 170 ; hind foot, 

 s. u. 67, c. u. 74. 



Skull: basal length 69 ; zygomatic breadth 4G 5 ; mastoid 

 breadth 40o ; palate length 32'7 ; length of upper molar on 

 outer side 9"3. 



Hah. Panama and Costa llica. Tyi)e from Boqueto, 

 Chiriqui. Alt. 4000 ft. 



T//pe. Male. B.M. no. 4. 7. 6. 5. Collected 5th March, 

 1904, by Mr. H. J. Watson. Five specimens examined. 



This skunk has hitherto been referred to C. mapurito, Gm., 

 but the recent acquisition of a second specimen representiug 

 that form shows tiiatthe Central-American animal is distinct, 

 bang smaller, and having a shorter bushier tail, on Avhich 

 the black extends for a shorter distance at the base. It may 

 also be noted, though probably an accident of preparation, 

 that both our specimens of C, mapurito have the dorsal light 

 colour of a dull creamy tone, while in five specimens of the 

 Central-American animal it is really white. 



Nectomys dimidiuius, sp. n. 



A diminutive species with the glossy fur of the typical 

 S. -American members of the genus. 



Size immensely less than in any hitherto known member 

 of the typical glossy-furred Nectomys^ rather smaller even 

 than in N. esme?-aldarum, the smallest of the fluffy-furred 

 species. Fur obviously modified Jbr an aquatic life, close 

 and glossy, with a thick velvety undcrf ur ; hairs of back 

 about 6 mm. in length. General colour of back rather lighter 

 than " clove-brown,'' the sides becoming more " bistre." A 

 dull buffy line edging the dark colour on the flanks, ami 

 running down the inner side of the hind limbs. Belly dull 

 clay-colour, deadened by the slaty bases of the hairs showing 

 through. Outer side of arms greyish brown. Upper surface 

 of hands and feet dull white. 'Tail of medium length, fiuely 

 scaled, 15 rings to the centimetre, slaty greyish above, dull 

 white below. 



'1 



