60 DE. J. E. T. AITCHISON ON THE ZOOLOGY OF 



relations of this so-called " Quetta mole," Mr. Blanford, when working out the North- 

 Indian Voles in 1883 *, obtained one of the typical specimens from Calcutta, and 

 showed that the species really belonged to the genus Mlobius, giving at the same time 

 excellent figures of its skull and dentition. No other specimens seem ever to have been 

 obtained, and these four well-preserved spirit-specimens, the only ones in Europe, are 

 therefore of considerable value for the elucidation of the species. The following are 

 their measurements, which are, of course, far more trustworthy than any taken from 

 dried skins : — 



Head and body. Tail. Hind foot. Forearm and hand, 



millim. millim. millim. millini. 



a. $ 127 16-0 20-5 35-0 



b. $ 98 14-0 21-0 33-0 



c. 6 103 12-0 19-4 31-0 



d. 6 115 160 20-6 34-5 



The ear-conch is not so entirely aborted as in the Spalacidse, but forms a small 

 triangular projection some two or three millimetres long. The soles are smooth and 

 ungranulated, and the pads, of which there are 5 on the fore and 6 on the hind feet, are 

 low and little prominent. The mammary formula is 2 — 1=6. 



The other characters of this species, being observable in skins as well as in spirit- 

 specimens, have been fully described in Mr. Blanford's paper above referred to. 



[This curious bull-dog headed, mole-like Rat, with enormous incisor teeth for its size, 

 was said by the natives to be common, but that it was rarely seen unless dug out of its 

 burrows. The whole of the Badghis was, in many places, perforated like a sponge from 

 the burrowing of this as well as other rodents, species of which were not obtained, owing 

 to the restrictions placed upon my work and my having no men with me who had been 

 trained as collectors. Owing to these burrows, in many places the country was very 

 unsafe to ride over, as on our marches on the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd February, 1885, 

 between Islim and Gulran. On these marches I saw what I believe to have been 

 Marmots, but was not lucky enough to procure specimens. 



The Badghis is just the country for small rodents, from the loamy, sandy, soft soil, 

 easily worked in, and the numerous plants with large tuberous roots, ready to supply 

 them with food and drink.— J. E. T. A.] 



12. Alactaga indica, Gray. 



a, b. Sim-koli, 18/5/85. c. Between the Hamuu of the Helrnaud and Khusan. 

 Measurements in spirit : — 



J. A. S. B. 1. p. 118, pi. ii. (1881). 



