484 ^Ir. 0. Thomas on 



metres in area, wliere I obtained four specimens, but saw 

 none anywhere else, and it is evidently very rare." 



[As iiii iiulication of llie extent to wliich our Britisli 

 National Museum has parficinated in the g-'noial advance in 

 1Im> systematic knowlcdi^e of Mammalia, and the corresponding 

 accumulation of tyjiical specimens, I may perhaps be per- 

 mittod to record that, so far as I am able to calculate, this 

 is the two-thousandth mammal to which, as the oflficial 

 mammalooist of the Mu=seum, I have had occasion to give a 

 name. And many hundreds more have been described and 

 named hy other workers. The vastness of the collection — 

 especially of types — indicated by these figures is due mainly 

 to the patriotism of our countrymen all over the world, many 

 of whom have been proud and pleased to contribute to tiieir 

 National Museum merely because it is the National JIuseum, 

 without )iay or return, and often in climates where mere 

 existence is a burden. 



Having possessed for forty years the great privilege of 

 working on this wonderful collection, I feel I cannot too 

 strongly express my appreciation of the generosity and public 

 S|)irit sliown by its many contributors — whetlier those who at 

 home have provided funds fn- making expedition?, or abroad 

 have uuide collections to be added lo the National treasures. 



My own share in the woik, carried on as it has been under 

 the most favourable conditions, has been a continuous pleasure. 

 And in appreciation of one important element in this pleasure, 

 the sympathetic and ever-ready help of my wife, I have 

 given to this attiactive little animal the above specific nau)e.] 



LT. — Tivo veio Forms o/'Leggada. 

 By Oldfield Thomas. 



(Published by permission of the Trustees of the British Museum.) 



Legcjada hella syhilla, subsp. n. 



Near L. h. induta, but with much shorter fur. 



Hairs of back about 4*0-4*5 mm. in length. General 

 colour butfy, not so blight as in induta, and broadly darkened 

 on ihe back, the flanks clear buffy. Belly pure sharply 

 defiiud while. A vkvy small subauial uliite spot. Hands 

 and itet white. 'Jail pale greyish above, white below. 



