22 Mr. O. Tlioraas on a new Species of Acomys. 



of Audea (Catocalidse) or belongs to a genus allied to 

 Audea ; it has nothing to do with Hypocala. 



Hypocala lativitta, Moore (said to be nearest to H. hiarcu- 

 ota), is almost certainly a species of Audea ; the porrect 

 beak-like palpi of Hypocala are not shown in the figure, 

 which, on the other hand, gives the impression of their being 

 formed as in Audea. 



V. — Description of a new Species o/" Acomys. 

 By Oldfield Thomas. 



Among a small collection of zoological specimens from 

 Mombasa recently presented to the National Collection by 

 Mr, D. J. Wilson, of the British East Africa Company's 

 service, there occurs a specimen of a small spiny mouse 

 clearly representing a new species. A second specimen of 

 the same form has also been received direct from the Com- 

 pany, but the exact locality of this individual is unknown. 

 I propose to call the species 



Acomys WiIsom\ sp. n. 



Most nearly allied to A. russatus, Wagn., but distinguished 

 from that, as from every other member of the genus, by its 

 very much smaller size, and especially by its much shorter 

 feet. General colour orange-rufous, grizzled with black, the 

 black predominating on the head and nape. Under surface 

 white. Ears small, rounded, laid forward they just reach to 

 the posterior canthus of the eye. Feet short and broad ; 

 palms and soles naked, the pads well defined. Tail short, 

 slender, very finely haired, almost naked ; darker above, 

 whiter below ; rings of scales about seventeen to the centi- 

 metre. 



Measurements of the type (an adult female in alcohol) : — 



Head and body 80 millim. ; tail 48 (extreme tip wanting, 

 55 in the other specimen) ; hind foot 12*2 ; heel to front 

 of last foot-pad 5'8 ; ear, above crown, 8"4. 



Hal. Mombasa. Coll. D. J. Wilson. 



The other species of the genus are all much larger than 

 D. Wilsoni, with hind feet measuring from 16 to 19 millim., 

 a difference in size so great as to preclude all necessity for a 

 detailed comparison of the new form with them. 



It is with much pleasure that I have named this little 

 species in honour of its discoverer, to whose enthusiasm the 

 British Museum is indebted for many rare and interesting 

 specimens. 



