320 MISS D. M. A. BATE OX THE [Nov. 14, 



Cousidei-ing the great distance by which the habitats of these 

 two forms are separated, and that a number of other races occupy 

 the intervening and neighbouring countries, the only plausible 

 exj)lanation of such a remarkable likeness seems to be that in this 

 we have a striking case of similar characteristics independent!}" 

 acquired. This does not seem so improbable when it is remem- 

 bered that among the Weasels variation acts only within veiy 

 narrow limits ; the chief points in which dijSferences occur being 

 in size, in the line of separation between the two colours, and in 

 the presence and amount of white on the upper surfaces of the 

 paws. In connection with the Cretan form it may be suggested 

 that its large size is, at any I'ate partly, due to prolonged isolation 

 in a locality where food is plentiful and competition not keen, 

 owing to the absence of Stoats in the island. 



P. n. galinthias may be distinguished from P. n. atlas by its 

 richer colouring and in having only a scarcely percej)tible "pencil" 

 of darker hairs at the tip of the tail, which in one of the dried 

 specimens measures 89 mm. exclusive of the terminal hairs. 

 P. n. siculce Barr.-Ham..*, although differing from these species 

 in size and colouring, agrees with them not only in the well- 

 defined line of separation of the colours along the flanks, but also 

 in having white on the upper surfaces of the hind as well as the 

 fore paws. 



The colour of the under side in one of the skins from Crete 

 (No. 33, S ) is dirty white ; while in the larger of the two (No. 15), 

 the type, probably an old male, this colour is washed with buffish 

 yellow. The " white " extends in a narrow line along the upper 

 lips to the base of the nose. 



This Weasel is common and frequently abroad in the daytime, 

 when it may be seen running along the loosely-built stone dykes 

 which are a noticeable featui-e of many parts of the country, 

 being built for the purpose of ridding the ground of some of the 

 overwhelming number of stones with which it is cumbered. It 

 probably feeds largely on the lizards of various kinds that 

 abound in the island : one day in an olive-grove at Phaestos a 

 weasel was seen to spring out of some thick undergrowth at the 

 edge of a stream and seize a large green lizard {Lacerta viridis 

 major Blgr.), which, on becoming aware of my presence, it 

 hiirriedly carried off in its mouth. 



It is known to the natives by different names in different parts 

 of the island : in the west it is called " Kalajannou," in the east 

 " Sinteknaria" {fivvreKyapia t), and in the Lassethe Mountains a 

 modification of the former term which I neglected to make a note 

 of at the time. 



10. Mus RATTUS Linn. 



This Rat is found in the port-towns on the northern coast, but 



* Anil. Mag. Nat. Hist. sev. 7, vol. v. Jan. 1900, p. 46. 



t " KciKoavvTCKvapia," according to \)x. Forsytli Major, oj). cit. p. 63. 



