1907.] MAMMALS FROM BEIRA. 775 



by Mr. Grant for the Rudd Exploration, is of very great value as 

 filling in the geographical gap between Inhambane, whence came 

 the magnificent series enumerated in our previous paper, and the 

 better known regions of the Zambezi and [Nyasaland. 



The results, from the point of view of geographical distribution, 

 are in many cases most curious and interesting, and show the 

 necessity for such systematic explorations as this of Mr. Rudd's 

 before we can consider our knowledge on the subject to be at all 

 complete. For example, in the case of Petrodromus one would 

 have supposed that the same form would occur as at Inliambane 

 further southwards, since a closely allied one is found on the 

 coast further north in East Africa. But instead a member of 

 quite a.nother group — P. ietradactylus, an inhabitant of the higher 

 inland region from Nyasa to S. Rhodesia — here reaches the East 

 coast area, and isolates the Inhambane species from its northern 

 ally. 



Then, again, the Georychus is much more closely allied to the 

 Bechuanaland G. hcgardi than to G. darlingi of Mashonaland, 

 intermediate in geographical position. 



There are evidently therefore very many interesting problems 

 still to be determined about the geographical distribution of the 

 species, and about the faunal areas into which the country should 

 be divided. 



Twenty -nine species are included in the present collection, 

 represented by 129 specimens, all, as before, added to the National 

 Museum by the generosity of Mr. C. D. Rudd. 



The collection was made in two localities, the one just outside 

 Beira, and the other, Masembeti, on the Railway 23 miles from 

 that place. 



Mr. Grant's report on the region is as follows : — 



" The Beira District may briefly be described as low lying, flat 

 country, with patches and stretches of forest alternating with 

 open plains dotted with palmetto, bamboo brakes and ant-heaps, 

 and with vleis and lakes in the lowest parts. 



"In the wet season the whole country, except the higher 

 forested portions, is one vast swamp and the vegetation is both 

 thick and high. 



" Natives are few and scattered, as there is little habitable 

 veldt on which crops can be grown. 



" The climate during the wet season is by no means healthy, 

 and although the thermometer may not always record high 

 temperature, it is generally sultry and muggy. Collecting work 

 is difficult and the damp heat is most enervating. 



" Throughout the trip the weather was warm, average temper- 

 ature 86° in the shade. There was plenty of rain, especially 

 during the latter half, which was undoubtedly bad for trapping- 

 work ; this combined with the scarcity of mammals in the district, 

 and the ravages of ants which completely destroyed nvimbers of 

 trapped specimens, prevented the collection made from being 

 larger. 



