382 LETTERS FROM MR. R. SWINHOE. [Nov. 8, 
heard from the natives of the existence of this beast in the island ; 
and in Dutch books on Formosa I saw it spoken of as the ‘ Taewan 
Devil,’ the old Hollanders, like the Chinese, not being able to divine 
to what class of the animal kingdom it belonged. I have succeeded 
in procuring a specimen, and am sending it home. It is almost sure 
to be the South China species, Manis brachyurus; but, not having 
specimens to compare with it, I cannot set this down as a certainty. 
“21. Sorex myosurus (the Musk-Rat of China). Not uncommon 
about Chinese houses in Tamsuy. 
22. Sorex , sp-? I found a nest of this under a decayed 
patch of buffalo-dung, and secured two small Shrews; they are 
small and immature, and closely affine to the foregoing, but destitute 
of the musk-odour, and, I think, of a different species. I am sending 
them home for determination. 
—‘ 23, Mus decumanus. Very common, and rather variable in 
colour. 
—<24, Mus musculus (the House-Mouse). I have seen, in houses 
here, little creatures which I have taken to be of this species. 
«25, Mus coninga, Swinhoe, P. Z. 8. 1864, p. 185. This species 
does not affect trees, like the M. flavescens of China. 
7°26. Mus ? About one-third the size of the common Rat, 
and of rather similar colour, with softer fur and small feet. From the 
interior. I was intending to give a full description of this apparently 
new species, but I find my specimens have been already packed and 
forwarded to M. Verreaux. 
27. Mus ? With reddish-brown back, interspersed with 
black hairs, whitish under parts, large head, and rounded ears. I 
picked up a mutilated specimen on a hill not far off. It is almost 
twice as big as a common Mouse, with longer tail. It appears to be 
a field species, and is probably undescribed. I have, unfortunately, 
not been able to procure good specimens. * 
«‘ This is all I have at present to offer on the Mammals. 
«‘T have been of late rather assiduous in collecting land shells. 
From this neighbourhood I have got nearly thirty species, from 
South Formosa four, and from Foochow two. The South Formosan, 
comprising three Helices and one Bulimus, are all distinct from those 
we meet with here. But both the Foochow species have close 
allies in Kelung, differing only enough perhaps to note them as 
varieties. But my knowledge of shells is so limited that I must 
refrain from talking too wildly of species and varieties, and leave 
those nice distinctions to the deeper learning of Mr. Cuming and 
Dr. Pfeiffer. 
‘«T trust these notes will interest you. They may be worth com- 
municating to the Zoological Society. You will probably not hear 
from me again until I have made some progress in Takow (South 
Formosa).” 
“ Formosa, Sept. 5th, 1864. 
“With regard to my report on the Formosan Mammalia, it is 
necessary to make some corrections with regard to the supposed 
Poreula. Hitherto I had only received very young specimens, and, 
