LYON] .MAMMALS FROM KAN-SU, CHINA 135 



Diagnostic characters. — Similar to Myotalpa fontanierii (Milne 

 Edwards), 1 but nasals much broader anteriorly, zygomata more 

 spreading, and claws of second and fourth manal digits practically 

 equal in length (in M. fontanierii claw of second manal digit is dis- 

 tinctly longer than that of fourth). 



Color. — Ilase of fur everywhere slate color, the hairs usually with 

 light ochraceous-buff or dull pinkish buff terminal or subterminal 

 bands, especially on the upper parts of the body, where the mixture 

 of ochraceous-buff and slate produces a general effect not unlike clay 

 color. On the underparts the slate bases of the hairs are more con- 

 spicuous than the ochraceous-buff tips. On the throat and chin 

 there are practically no ochraceous tips, and the slate color is rather 

 lighter than elsewhere. The light markings on the head so conspic- 

 uously shown in Milne Edwards' plate of Myotalpa fontanierii 

 (Recherches Mammiferes, p\. 7) are practically absent in M. causns. 

 Just above the naked nose area there is an ill-defined light buffy 

 patch, becoming grayish between the eyes, and thence blending in 

 with the color of the upperparts. Tail nearly naked, clothed with 

 a few scant whitish hairs. Dorsal surface of hind feet practically 

 naked, containing a few short light-colored hairs. Dorsal surface 

 of fore feet covered with short dark-grayish hairs. 



Feet. — Fore foot with five digits ; the first very short, laterally 

 compressed, and with a much laterally compressed claw, 3 mm. long ; 

 second digit with a long, slender, curved claw, 11.5 mm.; third digit 

 with long and rather heavy claw, 14 mm. ; fourth digit with claw 

 equal in length to that of second digit, but much heavier, nearly as 

 thick as claw on third digit ; claw on fifth digit 7 mm. in length. 

 Hind foot with five digits, the first small and short, with 3 mm. 

 claw ; second digit short and stout, claw 5 mm. ; third and fourth 

 digits subequal in size, claws respectively 7.5 mm. and 7 mm. ; fifth 

 digit small, intermediate in size between first and second, its claw 

 4.5 mm. 



Bars. — The ears are reduced to a mere ridge about 1 mm. high, 

 around a meatus about 4 mm. in diameter. 



Skull and teeth. — The skull closely resembles that of Myotalpa 

 fontanierii in general form and size. Apparently it is much more 

 angular and with more prominent ridges, characters, however, which 

 may be the result of age. The zygomata are more bowed outward 

 than they are in M. fontanierii, and the nasal bones have a peculiar 



1 Ann. des Sci. Nat., 5th ser., vn, 1867, p. 376, and Recherches Mammiferes, 

 pp. 122-126, plate 7, figs. 1-4, plate 8, figs. 6-9 and 13, plate 9, figs. 5 and 8. 



