224 MR. J. LEWIS BONHOTE ON 



form than Galictis is evident, not only from the dental features 

 already mentioned, but from the normal absence of the second 

 lower molar {m.2) and likewise by the shortness of the tail 

 and the disappearance of the ear-conchs ; both the latter features 

 being, of course, adaptations to a burrowing life. In connection 

 with the absence of the second lower molar, it is interesting to 

 note that in one specimen in the British Museum (No. 9.7.19.1) 

 this tooth is retained on the left side. It is very small, like the 

 corresponding tooth of Galictis, and had come into use before the 

 carnassial was fully protruded, so that it would have been shed 

 early. 



Although Galictis is now unknown north of Mexico, or 

 thereabouts, it occurs fossil in the later Tertiaries of the United 

 States ; and this leads to the idea that Galictis and Mellivora are 

 divergent members of a common stock which, like the Leopard 

 (Felis pardus and F. ouca) and Ocelot [F. pardalis, F. tristis, and 

 F. nehulosa) groups, once inhabited a lai-ge area in Asia, whence 

 it reached America by way of Bering Strait, and, having made 

 its way into South America, died out in the north of the 

 New World. 



15. On a Further Collection o£ Mammals from Egypt 

 and Sinai. By J. Lewis Bonhote, M.A., F.L.S., 

 F.Z.S. 



[Received October 24, 1911 : Read February 6, 1912.] 



The following is an account of a small collection of mammals 

 which has been sent home during the past two years by Capt. 

 Flower. The most notable specimens are the 3Ieriones crassus 

 and Acomys ricssaius from Sinai, the type locality of these species. 

 Apart from their extreme rarity in collections, the acquisition 

 of these animals has enabled me to identify definitely the 

 Meriones of Lower Egypt with Pomel's M. sellysii and also to 

 describe the form found in the Sudan as a new race. The 

 specimens of Acomys russatus prove to be quite different in size 

 and colour from those obtained near Cairo by Mr. Nicoll and 

 myself, which latter are therefore described under the name 

 A. r. oigyptiacus*. 



I must express my indebtedness to Capt. Flower and Mr. Nicoll 

 for their kindness in allowing me to work out the collection and 

 more especially for bringing home some of the specimens alive, 

 and thus enabling me to carry on some observations and experi- 

 ments on which I shall hope to have something further to 

 record in the future. 



* The complete account of these two new subspecies appears here ; but since the 

 names and preliminary diagnoses were published in the 'Abstract,' No. 103, 1912, 

 they are distinguished by being underlined. — Editoe. 



