1882.] MR. FORBES ON THE PTERYLOSIS OF MESITKS. 267 



rounded, occupying nearly the whole of the fore part of the sole. 

 First hind toe reaching just to the base of the second ; fifth to the 

 end of the metacarpal of the fourth. 



Molars much as in the subgenus Isomys, broad and rounded, with 

 numerous small but well-marked cusps. 



Approximate dimensions, in inches : — 



Judging from the analogy of other species, I should imagine that 

 Mus nigricauda is an arboreal animal; for in nearly all climbing 

 Rodents we find the rather short feet, large rounded foot-pads, and 

 more or less bushy tail characteristic of the present species. The 

 Dormice, Squirrels, and, most closely analogous of all, the Climbing 

 Vesper-mice of Tropical America {Bhipidomys), may be cited as 

 examples of forms which possess the above mentioned accompaniments 

 of an arboreal habit of life. 



4. Description of the Pterylosis of Mesites, with Remarks 

 on the Position of that Genus. By W. A. Forbes, 

 B.A., Prosector to the Society. 



[Eeceived February 7, 1882.] 



When making some observations on the pterylographical and 

 other peculiarities of Eupetes macrocercus ', I expressed regret at 

 not having been able to obtain any specimen of Mesites, which in 

 external appearance somewhat approaches Eupetes macrocercus, to 

 study its pterylosis also. 



Since then, having obtained through Herr G. Schneider, of Basel, 

 a skin of Mesites variegatus, I have been able, from an examination 

 of it, to complete our knowledge of this most peculiar form as 

 regards the distribution of its feathers. All that was previously 

 known of this part of the structure of Mesites was the existence 

 in that bird of five pairs of powder-down patches ", M. A. Milne- 

 Edwards in his paper on it ^ having confined his observations to its 

 osseous and internal structure ■*. Those interested in the various 

 opinions which have been held by naturalists as to the exact syste- 

 matic position of Mesites, I will refer to M. Milne-Edwards' s paper 

 just quoted, only adding Mr. E. Bartlett's suggestion "that the 



' P. Z. S. 1881, p. 838. 



^ Vide E. Bartlett, P. Z. S. 1877, p. 292. 



3 Ann. Sci. Nat. (6) Zool. vii. 1878, art. 6. 



* An imperfect skull, extracted from the present skin, shows that the palate 

 is schizognathous, the recurved maxillo-palatines being free in the middle line, 

 and the vomer small and pointed — points not evident in Milne-Edwards's figure, 

 his specimen, I believe, being somewhat imperfect. 



