88 REV. H.B.TRISTRAM ON THE MAMMALS OF PALESTINE. [Feb. 13, 



23. Hystrix cristata, L. 



The Porcupine is common in all the rock}- districts and mountain- 

 glens. I have picked up a skull near the southern shore of the Dead 

 Sea. Its flesh is highly prized by the Bedouin. We found no trace 

 of the other species (//. hirsutirostris, Brandt) said to inhabit Syria. 



24. Spalax typhlus, Pall. 



Very common in all the plains and cultivated districts, and also 

 among the hills wherever there is sufficient soil. Never observed in 

 the Jordan valley. Resorts much to the debris of old ruins, among 

 which it burrows. It is caught by a trap let into its run and baited 

 with onion. I have kept a Blind Mole alive for several days in a 

 box, and it ate heartily of carrots and onions. 



25. Acomys cahirrinus, Geoffr. 



Confined entirely in Palestine to the Dead-Sea basin and the 

 ravines abutting on it. We trapped it as far up the country as the 

 monastery of Marsaba. 



26. Acomys dimidiatus, Riipp. 



More abundant than the former species on the Dead-Sea shores ; 

 but, so far as our observation goes, not extending up the rocky 

 ravines. We trapped several, and I also shot it feeding in the day- 

 time among the bare gravel above Ain Feshkhah. 



27. Acomys russatus, Wagn. 



Obtained by us once in the rocky ravine above Sebbeh, the ancient 

 Masada. Very common about Sinai. 



28. Mus decumanus, Pall. 

 As common here as elsewhere. 



29. Mus tectortjm, Savi. 

 At Beyrout. 



30. Mus musculus, L. 

 Common in all the towns. 



3 1 . Mus sylvaticus, L. 



In the plains. Once captured in our tent. 



32. Mus pr^textus, Licht. 



In the Jordan valley and Dead-Sea basin. 



33. Cricetus, sp.? 



There is a species of Hamster not uncommon ; but we were not 

 fortunate enough to meet with it. Its habits are fully described by 

 Russell in his ' Nat. Hist, of Aleppo.' It is perhaps the C. auratus, 

 Waterhouse. 



