Recent Voles of the Microtus nivalis Group. 103 



and acuteness of all salient angles, though the aetual number 

 of elements is in no way abnormal ; anterior loop of first 

 lower molar in the single known specimen essentially as in 

 M. nivalis aquitunius ; general colour above a pale buffy 

 grey, the middle of back rather strongly tinged with dull 

 buff; tail and feet dull white. Underparts white, irregularly 

 clouded by the slaty under-colour. 



-Measurements. — Head and body 112 mm.; tail 67 ; hind 

 foot 19 ; ear 16-5. Skull : condylo-basal length 28-6 ; zygo- 

 matic breadth 16 ; interorbital constriction 4--2 ; occipital 

 breadth 12-6; occipital depth 7*0; nasal 80; diastema 8'6; 

 mandible 18; maxillary tooth-row 6'6; mandibular tooth- 

 row 6"4. 



Remarks. — This species, though represented by the type 

 specimen only, is strikingly characterized by the peculiarities 

 of the mesopterygoid fossa resulting from the unusual tilting 

 outward of the pterygoids. The light buffy colour is also 

 different from that in any other known form. 



Microtus hermonis, sp. n. 



1884. Arvicola nivalis, Tristram, Survey of Western Palestine, Fauna 

 and Flora, p. 13, 



Type.—MuM male (in alcohol). B.M. no. 64 8. 17. 31. 

 Collected on Mount Hermon, Palestine, by the Rev. H. B. 

 Tristram. 



Geographical distribution. — Known from the type locality 

 only. 



Characters. — Differs from Microtus pontius, its nearest 

 geographical ally, in tlie decidedly shorter ear (13"6 mm. 

 instead of 16-5 mm.) and the less acute, less strongly alter- 

 nating triangles of the upper molars. Distinguishable from 

 the European members of the group by the narrower, more 

 elongated outline of the third upper molar. Structure of 

 palate not known. 



Measurements. — Tail 56 mm,; hind foot 19; car 13"6 ; 

 upper tooth-row 6*2. 



Remarks. — Nothing remains of the skull of the type and 

 only known specimen except the right upper tooth-row. It 

 is therefore impossiljle to decide whether the pterygoids 

 resemble those of Microtus pontius or of the Eurojiean mem- 

 bers of the subgenus. Ou geographical grounds the former 

 seems the more probable, though the latter altciiiative is not 

 impossible in view of the general character of the teeth. 



