358 



Mr. G. Dollinaii on the 



the anQoniensia and nyihrv groups by tlie shape of the nasals, 

 the expandctl portion of which never exceeds 8 mm. in 

 width, and the transition to the narrower part marked by a 

 more distinct an^le than in the Nyasa forms. 



Size fairly large, hind foot generally about 28-30 mm. in 

 leno;th. 



Colour of dorsal surface rich russet-brown lined with black 

 and buff; Hanks rather paler. Sides of face and muzzle 

 strongly tinted with buff. Backs of hands and feet dirty 

 brownish buff. Ventral surface of bod}' slate-grey washed 

 with buff. Tail dark brown above, dirty cream-colour 

 below. 



Skull large; nasals somewhat spoon-sliaped, the expanded 

 anterior portion tiarrowing rather abruptly, with a marked 

 constriction just behind the expanded area. Molars fairly 

 large ; m^ with 7 laminai. 



Dimensions of the tyjie : — 



Head and body 180 mm.; tail 80; hind foot 30; ear 23. 



Skull : greatest length 44 ; basilar length 35"4 ; zygo- 

 matic breadth 21'6; breadth of brain-case 16'5; length of 

 nasals 18"5 ; breadth across expanded portion 7'8 ; breadth 

 across middle of nasals, just behind the constriction, 4 ; 

 de|ith from highest point of orbit to alveolar border at front 

 of ni^ 13*3 ; palatihir lengtii 19"7 ; length of upper molar 

 series from front alveolar border to back of m^ 10 ; crowns 9. 



Hah. West slope of Mt. Kenya. Altitude 10,000 feet. 



Type. Old male. B.M. no. 0. 2. 1. 20. 



In the Museum Collection area great number of specimens 

 referred to this species ; it would seem to extend northwards 

 as far as the Aberdare Mountains, where gradually the race 

 known as elgonis begins to become dominant. South of 

 Kenya it seems to be rather rare. 



(9) Otomys trojncah's eljom's, Wrought. 



Otomys irroratus elgonis, Wrought. Ann. & Mag. Nat. Ilbt. (8) vol. v. 

 p. 207 (1910;. 



A dark race o{ tropicalis. 



General dimensions rather smaller than in the typical 

 iroj^icalls. 



Colour like that of the Kenya species, but darker and 

 richer. Flanks, sides of face, muzzle, and entire underparts 

 considerably darker. 



Skull same as in tropicalis, but rather smaller. 



Dimensions of the type : — 



Head and body 165'nim. ; tail 81; hind foot 27 ; ear 21. 



