= 
PA 
a 
390 MR, J. L. BONHOTE ON THE [Nov. 28, 
Mus plumbews A. M.-E. Rech. Mamm., p. 138, pl. 43. fig. 2 
1874). 
ee ratius flavipectus A. M.-K., Thos. P. Z.S. 1898, p. 772. 
This species is the representative of the rufescens-group of 
Mus rattws, which inhabits China. It is of moderate size, having 
the tail rather shorter than the head and body. Fur soft and 
destitute of spines. General colour above uniform yellowish 
brown, slightly lighter on the flanks. Hairs slate-coloured at 
their base, with ochreous tips, and intermixed among these are pure 
black hairs of a finer texture. Under parts varying from dirty 
yellowish to yellowish-white, often, but not invariably, showing 
traces of a white mark on the breast. The hind feet are whitish 
and the hands dark brown margined with white. Tail unicoloured 
and covered with hairs. 
Skull. The skull is that of a fairly typical J/us rufescens, and, 
except in its slightly smaller size, is indistinguishable from the 
Tndian form*. 
Dimensions. Head and body 200 mm.; tail 160; hind foot 31 ; 
ear 18. 
Skull 7. Greatest length 41 mm.; basilar length 36-5; palatilar 
length 20; diastema 11°5; length of incisive foramina 8; length 
of nasals 15; zygomatic breadth 20; interorbital breadth 6; 
breadth of brain-case 15:5; length of molar series 7. 
Habitat. The type of this species came from Moupin in 
W. Szechuen, but it also occurs at Kuatun in N.W. Fokien, 
Kiou Kiang in Kiangsi, and Foochow, so that it is probably 
widely distributed throughout the country. It also occurs in 
Formosa. 
This and Jus griseipectus are the common Rats of China. The 
difference in the colour of the under parts, as denoted in their 
specific names, will form to some extent a distinguishing character, 
although the under parts in flavipectus often become very light, 
and in old specimens of griseipectus may show a yellowish tinge. 
However, I am inclined to think this character unreliable, and 
a much better test is the greater size of griseipectus, as shown by 
the length of the hind foot and skull-measurements. In grisez- 
pectus, moreover, the tail, although it can hardly be called 
“bicolor,” is distinctly lighter on its under surface, and this seems 
to be the only reliable external characteristic at all ages. 
In the description of WM. flavipectus in the Rech. Mamm., 
M. Milne-Edwards adds a footnote to say that J. germaini from 
Pulo Condor closely resembles this species, especially im its 
coloration. Although approximately correct, it may be well to 
notice that J. germaini may be distinguished by its size, which 
* For careful figure of the skull of JZ. rufescens, see paper by the author, 
Fasc. Malayenses, Zoology, vol. i. pl. iv. fig. 3 (1903). 
+ The measurements, which are the same as those taken in my former paper, are 
now called after Mr. O. Thomas’s scheme for cranial measurements, published 
Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash. vol. xviii. p. 191 (1905), the alterations (in name only) being 
basilar and palatilar for basal and palatal. 
