224 SOME CHINESE VERTEBRATES. 



obtained in Hupeh, at Ichang, Ichanghsien, and Changyanghsien, respectively. 

 Two of these taken in January seem to have completely assumed the winter 

 pelage which is soft and full. The other two, mid-November skins, are in process 

 of moult and retain numerous stiff spiny hairs in the dorsal areas. Although 

 the series is too small to warrant definite conclusions, it is possible that the 

 stiff hairs are more characteristic of the summer pelage, as in some species of 

 Apodemus. According to Thomas (1908b, p. 6) however, "the members of this 

 group are not known to change seasonally in this respect." In all four the tip of 

 the tail above as well as below is white for about the distal third. 



Bonhote in his review of Chinese species of Mus (Epimys) , gives the follow- 

 ing dimensions: head and body 164, tail 192, hind foot 39. These measure- 

 ments seem very large, since Milne Edwards in his original description gives 

 170, 165, and 30 mm. for the corresponding dimensions. Thomas, for the Chefoo 

 race, E. c. sacer, which he says is of about the same size, gives for extremes: 

 head and body, 130-156; tail, 170-186; hind foot, 28-31. Bonhote's measure- 

 ment of the hind foot, 39 mm., must be a misprint, although used as a differential 

 character in his key. 



Our specimen from Kiating, Szechwan, was measured by the collector as 

 follows: head and body, 149; tail, 177; hind foot, 28-32. 



EPIMYS JERDONI Blyth. 



This is a hill species, originally described from Sikkim. Its distribution 

 is stated by Blanford (Mamm. Brit. India, 1888, p. 412) to be the eastern Hi- 

 malayas. At Ramala Pass on the eastern border of Tibet, and at an altitude 

 of 12,500 feet, Mr. Zappey obtained two specimens that seem undoubtedly to 

 represent this species, here probably nearly at the northeastern limit of its range. 

 Farther east its place seems to be taken by the closely allied E. confucianus. 

 The first of these specimens was captured August 11, 1908, and is in good sum- 

 mer pelage. The somewhat brighter ochraceous tint of the dorsal surface is 

 noticeably in contrast with that of specimens of E. confucianus, and the abun- 

 dance of whitish spines gives a slightly grayish cast to those parts where their 

 bases show through. The upper surface of the fore feet is clear white without 

 the dark median area of confucianus, and the tail is without a white tip. The 

 second specimen is slightly smaller but apparently of the same species. The 

 collector's measurements of these two are: total length, 365, 360; tail, 192, 

 163; hind foot, 34, 30. 



