SMALL MAMMALS 283 



I find two specimens of a very handsome mouse of the genus 

 LopJuiroinys new to science, which I propose to name in honour 

 of the collector. 



Lophuromys Afisorgei, sp.n. 



The whole of the upper parts of the head and body smooth 

 dark chocolate colour, with no markings whatever, the under- 

 parts uniform pale cinnamon, the feet dark above and below, 

 the tail black-brown, slightly greyer beneath, especially basally, 

 rather short and thick, covered with hair, but not densely enough 

 to conceal the scales, ears moderate, rounded, covered with close 

 short hairs. 



On parting the fur of the upper parts, it will be found that the 

 tips only of the hairs are dark, shading gradually into bright tan 

 at the bases ; there is no under-fur, all the hairs are perfectly 

 straight, of a uniform length, and of very much the consistency 

 of a stiff camel's-hair brush. 



Measurements taken from dried skin : head and body 135 

 mm., tail 49 mm., pes 22 mm., forearm and hand 33 mm. 



Skull : greatest length 33.5 mm., greatest breadth 17 mm., 

 basifacial length 20 mm., basicranial length 10 mm., incisive 

 foramina — length 6.5 mm., breadth 2.8 mm., nasals — length 15 

 mm., breadth 3.5 mm., upper molar series 5.5 mm., lower molar 

 series 5 mm., mandibles, from condyle to incisor tips, 24 mm. 



Hab. Mumia's, Kavirondo, N.E. of Lake Victoria. 



Type No. 96. V. 8. i, in Brit. Mus. 



The nearest ally of this species is most likely L. sikapusi from 

 West Africa, but it is easily distinguished by its rather larger size 

 and much darker and handsomer colouring. 



Seen through a lens, each hair is flattened like a blade of 

 grass, tapering abruptly to a sharp point at either end ; some of 

 the hairs are flat, others have the edges turned over so that the 

 cross section forms the segment of a circle. The claws are long 

 and straight ; these and the hairy nose and other peculiarities of 

 the genus are well described by Mr. F. W. True (Proc. Nat. Mus. 

 Washington, 1892, vol. xv. p. 460) in his description of Mus aquilus, 

 which no doubt should be referred to this genus. I may mention 

 that there is in the British Museum a specimen which seems to 

 agree with the description of Mus aquilus ; this is a smaller 

 animal, freckled with light tips to the hairs, and is otherwise 

 very distinct from the animal now under notice, but shows that 



