6 MR. J. LEWIS BONHOTE ON MAMMALS [Jan. 16 



a, 6. c? ? • Pelepak, Johore, 27tli March, 1905. 



c. 2 ■ Kangka Aming, Johore, 26th May, 1905. 



d. S ■ Mount Austin, Johore, 31st Aug., 1905. 



e. 2 . Johore Bahru, 10th May, 1904. 



/. 2 . Pasir Gudang, Johore, 26th Feb., 1904. 



g. 5 . Pash^ Gudang, Johore, 11th May, 1905. 



h. $ . Woodlands, Singapore I., 15th Aug., 1904. 



i,h. S 2 ■ Singapore I., June & Aug. 1904. 



Mr. Miller has made two new species of the Peninsula forms 

 of Sc. vittatus. He first separated the N. Malayan form from 

 those in the south under the name miniatus, and more recently 

 the Southern Peninsula form has been named j:)eninsularis, to 

 distinguish it from the typical Sumati-an race. 



The series sent home by Mr. Kloss has enabled me to re- 

 consider the matter very thoroughly, and has still further confirmed 

 my opinion that this very variable species cannot be split up 

 into the geographical races proposed by Mr. Miller. 



To take the case of S. v. miniatus first of all. It is characterised, 

 compared with specimens from Singapore Island, by having the 

 red of the under parts much darker and the terminal pencil or 

 sometimes the entire distal half of the tail iniiform red beneath. 

 The type locality of this subspecies is given as Trong in Lower 

 Siam, but its exact distribution is not stated. 



In the British Museum there are specimens answering to this 

 description from various localities along the whole length of the 

 Peninsula including Singapore Island, so that its distribution 

 would appear to be identical with that of the paler form, as in 

 many localities they are found side by side. 



S. miniahts therefore can on no account be considered as a 

 geographical race or trvie subspecies, and it must be either a 

 distinct species or a mere colour-variety. The fact that inter- 

 mediates in all stages occur renders its status as a true species 

 impossible ; and there are specimens showing on the under parts 

 the deep red of miniatus as well as the lighter oiunge of true 

 vittatiijS. These, then, are the reasons for regarding oniniatus 

 merely as a colour- variety of S. vittatus. 



Now as regards S. 2)&ninsularis. The characters distinguishing 

 it from the true S. vittatus of Sumatra are said to be as follows : 

 " more yellowish under parts, loss yellowish cheeks," i. e. a paler 

 variety. 



The types of S. vittatus, which are in the British Museum, are 

 absolutely indistinguishable from specimens taken in the Penin- 

 sula. It should, of course, be noted that Tajoanuli Bay, whence 

 Mr. Miller procured his series, which he regarded as typical of 

 S. vittatus, is a considerable distance from Bencoolen, the type 

 locality ; and the Tapanuli Bay specimens may represent a distinct 

 race, but this is most improbable, as this species also varies con- 

 siderably in Sumatra, since darker specimens with the red tail are 

 also to be found there. 



The fact therefore emains that Malay specimens may be 



