554 MR. O. THOMAS ON MAMMALS FROM NYASSALAND. [NoV. 1, 



Comparative dimensions of the typical skull and horns of the new 

 race, and of a representative skull, of about the same age, of 

 the true ^-E. melampus, collected by Burchell at Latakoo, 



Bechuanaland, in 1812. 



J£. m. typicus. M. m.johnstoni. 



Skull. mm. mm. 



Basal length 260 255 



Greatest breadth (at back of orbits) 127 113 



Tnterorbital breadth 87 74 



Least breadth of muzzle just anterior 



to orbits 74 60 



Greatest breadth of muzzle just 



above the junction of ni^ and m^'. . 75 69'5 

 Palate, least breadth between alveoli 



of anterior premolars 34 29 



Horns. mm. in. mm. in. 



Length round curves behind. ... 569 = 225 402 = 15-9 

 Length in a straight line from 



base to tip 477 = 18-9^ 338= 13-4 



Greatest spread measured on the 



inner side of each horn 390 = 15-3 250 = 9-85 



Distance from tip to tip 315 = 12-4 250 = 9-85 



The skull and horns of specimen h, rather younger, with the horn- 

 tips less worn, practically agree with the above-given measurements 

 in every way. 



The discovery of this interesting animal is somewhat of a 

 surprise, for as the true Pallah is found over nearly the whole of 

 Africa south of the Equator, varying but very slightly in the size of 

 its horns, one would hardly expect to find so distinct a race in- 

 habiting Nyassaland, in the centre of the known range of the species. 

 However, the marked difference in the size of the horns, which 

 must result in a very different general appearance, combined with 

 the great slendevness of the head, appear certainly to necessitate the 

 separation of the Nyassa Pallah as a distinct subspecies, if not as a 

 distinct species, from the true one, and this conclusion is fortified 

 by the entire agreement with each other of the two specimens sent. 

 That chosen as the type is rather aged, with worn teeth and horn-tips, 

 while the second, 6, although younger, has fully adult horns, as is 

 shown by the character of their basal rings. 



I have connected with this beautiful Antelope the name of Consul- 

 General H. H. Johnston, the Governor of the district, and the donor 

 of the magnificent collection of Nyassa animals described in the 

 present series of papers. 



26. Cephalolophus grimmi, L. 

 a. Head. Zomba. 10/1/92. 



27. Manis temmincki, Smuts. 



a. Imm. sk. Blantyre. 1/1/92. 



1 What sportsmen term "good heads'' have tliis measurement 20 or 21 

 inches (Selous and Willoughby). 



