532 MR. O. THOMAS ON THE [DcC. 4, 



5. On the Mammals of Christmas Island. 

 By Oldfield Thomas, Natural History Museum. 



[Eeceived October 15, 1888.] 



" Mr. J. J. Lister has most kindly submitted to me for examination 

 the Mammals he obtained on Christmas Island during the visit of 

 H.M.S. ' Egeria ' to that place. 



The Collection contains a series of both the Mammals discovered 

 by Capt. Maclear in the previous year, namely, Pteropus natalis and 

 Mus macleari, the extra specimens supplying considerable additional 

 information about the species. There are also two specimens of 

 another large Rat, representing a second new species, and of a 

 Shrew, which Dr. Dobson considers to be a distinct geographical 

 variety of Crocidura fuliginosa, Blyth, a species that extends from 

 the Himalayas through Burma to Java. 



1. Crocidura fuliginosa trichura. Dobs.', var. nov. 



4 specimens. 



a (type). Head and body 70 millim., tail 80, hind foot I6"t), 

 lower leg 20".5, forearm and hand 21. 



"This variety differs from the typical form in the much greater 

 length of the tail, which also, unlike most specimens of that species, 

 is beset with long fine hairs ; it has also a longer hind foot. 



"In the shape of the skull and teeth and in all other characters 

 it so closely resembles typical examples of Cfulic/inosa that I hesi- 

 tate to consider it more than a local variety of that species." — 

 G. E. D. 



2. Pteropus natalis, Thos. 



Pteropus natalis, Thos. P. Z. S. 1887, p. .^H, pi. xH. 



9 specimens. 



Forearms of four of them : 6, 135, 124; $, 128, 126 millim. 



This species was originally described from female specimens only, 

 and when describing it I expressed the doubt there was as to 

 whether the males would have a yellow tippet or not. This doubt 

 Mr. Lister has fortunately dispelled by obtaining several adult 

 male specimens, which turn out to be precisely like the females, 

 their necks being as absolutely black as are those of the other sex. 



3. Mus macleari, Thos. 



Mus macleari, Thos. t. c. p. 513, pi. xlii. 

 7 specimens. 



The following are the chief measurements of some of the addi- 

 tional specimens of this fine species obtained by Mr. Lister: — 



' Dr. Dobsou is the author of this description, and should be looked upon 

 as wholly responsible for the distinction oi' the variety. 



