118 l\Ir. 0. Thomas on a new Vole from Cliina. 



Teeth (see fig.) remarkable, like those of M. melanogaster , 

 M.-Edw.*, and tlie members of the subgenus Evotomys, for 

 tiie fact that in several cases dentine spaces are opposite to and 



Molars of Microtus chinensix. The inner side of each tooth-row is 

 to the rig-ht. Magnified 8 diameters. 



communicate with one another, instead of being alternate and 

 separated. Altliough the specimen is fully adult, there is no 

 sign of the formation of roots to the teeth. 



The following is the molar pattern, so far as simple nume- 

 ration will express its characters : — 



Upper M', 4 spaces, 3 external and 3 internal angles. 



,, M , 4 ,, o „ _, ,, ,. 



■\i3 n ± i\ 



M -"^ ) '•* )» ■* 11 " >J >) 



Lower M', 7 „ 4 „ 5 „ „ 



„ M-, 3 „ 3 ,, 3 „ ,, 



„ M', 3 „ 3 „ 3 „ „ 



In the present controversial state of our systematic know- 

 ledge of tlie Voles I am not prepared to say to which of the 

 known species M. chinensis is most nearly related ; but the 

 number of its mammai and foot-pads and the presence of five 

 jnominent internal angles to m' appear to distinguish it from 

 all allied forms. 



In some respects it seems to be annectant between Evo- 

 tomys and the other Voles, the structure of its palate and 

 some of its dental characters showing striking affinities to the 

 former, far as its rootless teeth, fewer mamma}, and different 

 external form separate it from any of the known members of 

 that group. 



* HgiUid h\ r.lanUid, J. A. S. 15. 1. pi. ii. li- A (1681 ). 



