1905.] MAMMALS PROM ZULULAND. 273 



But on the arrival of the fine series from Deelfontein, 

 JSTamaqiialanci, and Zuui-bron that have resulted from the Sloggett 

 and Rudd collections, it soon appeared that this specimen belonged 

 to quite a distinct species, different both in size and cranial 

 characters, and of which we have had great pleasure in recognising 

 a second specimen in the present example. 



The specimen, " No. 22972," used to illustrate P. crassicaudatics 

 in Mr. Lyon's recent work on Leporidje * is evidently also an 

 example of this larger and rarer species. 



But as the two species both occur in or at least near IsTatal, the 

 type locality of crassicaudatits, and are vei-y similar externally, 

 the question has naturally arisen as to which is the oi'iginal species 

 described by Geoffroy. Fortunately Mr. J. L. Bonhote has been 

 able to settle the question for us by taking over to Paris, and 

 comparing dii'ectly with the type, an example of the smaller species 

 from Natal collected by Mr. Wroughton. Judging mainly by the 

 length of the foot and the quality of the fur, Mr. Bonhote is 

 definitely of opinion that the type of crassicaudatus is the smaller 

 form, and we therefore now describe the larger one as new : — 



Size larger than in crassicaudatus. Fur very distinctly harsher, 

 as coarse as in a European Hare, while in ci^assicaiulatus the fur 

 is very soft, especially on the feet. Ground-colour coarsely 

 grizzled black and pale bufFy, the long hairs black with a pale bufFy 

 subterminal ring. Wool-hairs everywhere slaty-grey basally, but 

 their tips blackish brown on the back, buify rufous on the rump, 

 and buffy on the sides. Head, and especially cheeks, clearer grey. 

 Under surface reddish buflfy, the centre of the belly more wdiitish. 

 Front half of outer surface of ears pale greyish brown, its basal 

 portion fringed with dull whitish hairs, its upper third narrowly 

 edged v/ith black, which disappears, however, on the extreme tip ; 

 inner surface of ear pale greyish white. Nape-patch dull greyish- 

 brown, with but little tinge of rufous. Limbs bufiy rufous, 

 becoming more whitish on the digits. Tail not quite so bushy as 

 in crassicaudatics, deep reddish throughout. 



While the external distinctions from crassicaudatus are but 

 little tangible, the skulls are extremely difi'erent, as may be seen 

 by the following contrasted descriptions : — 



In P. ruddi the skull is large (see measurements), heavily 

 bviilt, the muzzle broad and heavy proximally, and the frontal 

 profile convex. Postorbital wings proportionally small, the 

 posterior angle between them and the brain-case broad and open. 

 Anterior shoulder of zygoma-root strongly projecting forward. 

 Palatal foramina large, broad mesially, narrowing posteriorly, 

 where they are constricted by the sharp inwardly- directed edges, 

 which entirely hide in this region the walls of the nasal chamber 

 below them. Sphenoid openings on each side of the front half 

 of the pi"esphenoid narrowed to mere slits. Bullae very small, con- 

 siderably surpassed by the paroccipital processes. 



* Smiths. Misc. Coll. vol. xlv. (1904.). 



