4074 The Zoologist— July, 1874. 



in Mr. Bell's work. In the specific character of this species of 

 bat, the tragus is stated to be " barely one-third the length of the 

 auricle," and in the more minute description given in the larger 

 typo the tragus is stated to be " half the length of the ear." Which 

 statement are we to take as the true one ? Kinahan says, " nearly 

 half the length of the ear." I would say one-third the length would 

 be most accurate. The colour of the fur is variously given by 

 writers: it certainly is not "blight chestnut" at the surface, as 

 stated by Mr. Tomes, and it can scarcely be called " duskyish red," 

 as given by Kinahan. Chestnut-brown appears to me the most 

 accurate description. 



Mr. Newman has given lis a review of Bell's ' British Quadrupeds,' 

 and he has, I think, let the editors off easily. I fully endorse 

 his opinion that "This edition has been issued in an incom- 

 plete and unsatisfactory, although I can by no means say hasty, 

 manner; yet there can be no doubt that sufficient time has been 

 taken to produce a work of exhaustive excellence." I could 

 point out four or five misstatements, especially in connexion with 

 Iiish Natural History, of which too little is said. The description 

 of the hairy-armed bat exhibits one inaccuracy and a contradiction. 

 Mus alexandrinus, as Mr. Newman well observes, has been snubbed 

 completely: he is not even buried in the preface. It is a pity to 

 have this, the best work on the subject of which it professes to 

 treat, spoiled by the want of a little care on the part of the 



editors. 



Richard M. Barrington. 



Fassaroe, Bray, Co. Wicklow, 

 Juue 11, 1874. 



PS. — Since the above was written, I have received a male 

 specimen of the hairy-armed bat from Mr. Frederick Haughton, 

 of Levitstown, Co. Kildare. It was shot about ten days ago near 

 Tankardstown Bridge, the locality where Kinahan discovered 

 Daubenton's bat. This is quite a new locality. Jt is not a little 

 remarkable that the twelve specimens of the hairy-armed bat 

 received from Tandragee were females. — R. M. B. ; June 20. 



Albino Water Rat. — We have just mounted a perfect albino water rat, 

 which was obtained near Hurstpierpoiut, Sussex, a few weeks ago. — John 

 Pratt; 11, North-street Quadrant, Brighton, May Id, 1874. 



