1881.] ON RHVNCUOCYON AND I'ETRODROM US. 103 



4. Notes oil the Species of Rkyachocyon and Petrodroinus. 

 By Dr. A. Gunther, F.R.S., F.Z.S., Keeper of the 

 Zoological Department, British Museum. 



[Received January 4, 1881.] 



(Plate XIV.) 



The specimeus ui the British Museum hitherto identified with 

 Rhtjnchocyon cirnei (Ptrs.) differ so conspicuously from that species 

 in their smaller size and greater length of tail, that I am inclined to 

 regard them as specifically distinct. Besides, they were obtained 

 ten degrees further north than R. cirnei. The type of a third, and 

 very distinct, species has been received quite recently from Dr. Kirk, 

 who obtained it from the vicinity of the river Mombaca. 



The four species with which we are acquainted at present may be 

 diagnostically distinguished thus : — 



,1. RhYNCHOCYON CIRNEI. 



RhifnckocyoH cirnei, Peters, Reise nach Mossamb., Siiugethiere, 

 p. 106, tab. 21-24. 



Upper part of the head, back, and sides yellowish brown, with 

 numerous undulated, narrow, blackish transverse lines ; hairs on the 

 thigh posteriorly chestnut-brown; six longitudinal series of round 

 chestnut-brown spots on the back, the spots of the two middle series 

 connected by a dark longitudinal band, and the two bands confluent 

 in the sacral region ; the spots of the outer series smaller and 

 fainter. Ears and postauricular region ferruginous. Lower parts 

 greyish brown. Tail blackish, terminal fourth white. Length to 

 the root of the tail 300 mill.', of the tail 220 mill. 



Vertebrae : 13 dorsal, 8 lumbar, 3 sacral, and 28 caudal. 



Hab. East Africa, 17-18° S. lat. (Boror). 



2. Rhynchocyon macrurus, sp. n. 



Upper part of the head, the back, and the shoulder brownish 

 yellow, grizzled black ; sides of the body bright chestnut-red, shading 

 off into brown posteriorly; two black longitudinal bands in the 

 middle of the back, confluent behind, and connecting two series of 

 chestnut-brown spots ; another series of similar spots on each side 

 of the back. Ears, postauricular region, and lower parts uniform 

 brownish grey. Tail blackish, with the terminal third white, the 

 extremity being black again. Length to the root of the tail 

 255 mill.-, of the tail 243 mill. 



Vertebrae : 13 dorsal, 7 lumbar, 3 sacral, and 28 caudal. 



Hab. East Africa, 8° S. lat. (banks of the river Rovuina). 



Of this species we possess a stuff'ed example (with the skull), ob- 



' Peters sayi<, "last von der Grcisse unseres fiteinmarders." 

 ^ The size of tliie species may be compared to tliat of a large rat. 



11* 



