RAT FROM NEW GUINEA. 



239 



1888.] 



pattern too vague and little defined for exact description. Lower m' 

 (fig. 2, b) with three pairs of transversely elongated cusps, an anterior 

 and posterior central cusp, and a Jong extra external ledge running 

 the whole length of the tooth ; n? with two pairs of similar cusps, 

 a single posterior central one, and an external ledge ; m.^ with two 

 pairs of cusps and an antero- external ledge. 



Chiruromys forbesi, sp. n. 



Very similar to Uromys cervinipes, Gould, in size and general 

 appearance. Colour above a uniform dull rufous grey, below buff, 



D 



Chiruromys forhesi. 



A, left upper, and b. left lower molars, magnified about 10 diameters; c, dorsal 

 view of middle, and d, tip of tail to show arrangement of scales. 



the line of demarcation fairly sharply defined ; a ring round each 

 eye nearly black ; between eye and ear, rather above their level, is a 

 prominent white spot; whiskers very numerous, long and coarse, 

 shining black, a single bristle also inserted just above each eye. 

 Ears rather small, laid forward they reach to just beyond the middle 

 of the eye, narrow, not pointed, their anterior edge straight, their 

 tips andposterior margins evenly convex ; quite naked inside and 

 terminally outside. Palate-ridges seven, three anterior undivided and 

 four interdental. Hallux rudimentary, with a broad nail ; palms 

 with five broad smooth pads. Soles quite naked, smooth, with six 

 large low pads, the posterior pads elongated ; fifth hind toe reaching 

 to the base of the last phalanx of the fourth. Tail (fig. 2, c and d) 

 longer than the head and body, scaly, with minute hairs between the 

 scales, its terminal inch or inch and a half quite naked and without 

 scales above, the tip with a natural curl upwards and thus showing, 

 as well as by its structure, the prehensile jiowcr it |)ossesses ; scales 

 large, a\eragiug rather uiore than a millimeter in diameter ; arranged, 



