1895,] THE MAMMALS OF ADEN. 553 



shown by two co-types iu the Museum collection, is simply the 

 eastern representative of the Algerian M. sTiawi. 



The large burrows found among the bushes of Salvadora persica 

 on the borderland between the desert and the cultivated ground 

 appear to be the work of this species, although several other 

 animals also inhabit them. Thus at the mouth of one burrow 

 there were obtained examples of M. re.v, GerhUhis fmmtlus, Acomya 

 dimidiatus, and a Lizard. 



M. rex appears to be on the move in the early hours of the 

 morning until about 8 a.m., and the specimens brought home were 

 with one exception shot at the mouths of the burrows. Owing, 

 apparently, to these animals feeding on the green shoots of the 

 Salvadora, which fermented and distended the stomachs, it was 

 exceedingly difficult to get the specimens back to camp in fit 

 condition for skinning, so rapidly did they spoil. 



25. Aeticaxthis' tariegatus, Licht. 



Or-f. Skins ; g-n. In spirit. Lahej. III. 95. 



This is the common Field-Eat of the neighboui'hood of Lahej, 

 and is to be found plentifully in the ditches separating the fields — 

 in fact anywhere where the tall rank grass grows ; it does not 

 appear to venture into the desert, nor into the rank high reeds 

 which cover the river-bed between Haithalhim and Zaidali. 



The present is, so far as we are aware, the first recorded instance 

 of the occun-ence of this genus, hitherto known as " Isomi/f:,'" off 

 African soil. Although with sHghtly larger feet and tails than in 

 examples from Egypt, these specimens do not appear to be speci- 

 fically separable from the common form. 



26. Mrs DECUMAja's, Pallas. 

 a. Aden. II. 95. 



Probably common, but no doubt introduced by sea. 



27. MtJS BATTrS TTPICUS, L. 



a. 2 • One specimen. Aden. 19. IV. 95. 



No doubt also introduced from some European ship. The marked 

 difference between this and the indigenous if. r. alexandnnus is 

 noteworthy. 



28. Mtjs eattus alexandeinus. 



a-r. Aden, Shaik Othman and Lahej. 17 specimens. 



Very common and generally distributed ; appears to be the 

 common Eat of the neighbourliood. All the specimens are grey 

 above and none have the reddish coloration of M. r. mfescens, Gr. 



' Less. N. Tabl, K. A. p. 147 (1842). Type " Lemmits niloticits, Geoffr." 

 (= A. variegatus). Syn. Isomya, Sund. K. Vet.-Ak. Handl. 1842, p. 219 (1843). 

 Type " Mus variegatus." Thomas's attention was drawn to this unfortunate but 

 necessary change by Mr. T. S. Palmer, of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 

 who has been devoting much labour to the subject of Mammal nomenclature, 



