478 



December 13th. 

 Dr. Gray, V.P., in the Chair. 

 The following papers were read : — 

 1. Descriptioist of a New Species of Squirrel (Sciurus sia- 



MENSIS) FROM SlAM, IN THE COLLECTION OF THE BrITISH 



Museum. By Dr. J. E. Gray, F.R.S., V.P.Z.S., Pres. Ent. 



SOC, ETC. 



Among the animals lately sent by M. Mouhot from Siam are two 

 small Squirrels, which differ from any that we have hitherto received 

 from India or the neighbouring countries. 



I am aware that the Indian Squirrels, and indeed Squirrels gene- 

 rally, are very apt to vary ; and probably many more species are de- 

 scribed than exist in nature ; but I do not know any species of which 

 the one now described can with reason be considered as a variety ; 

 the two specimens in the Museum are very uniform in their general 

 appearance. 



It may be observed that some species, both of Mammalia and 

 Birds, are so much alike in external appearance, that, judging from 

 their skins alone, we might be inclined to doubt whether they were 

 more than slight varieties ; yet when their habits, modes of life, 

 food, and manners are known, they are far more distinct, as species, 

 than animals which are very different in their external appearance, 

 and marked with what might a priori be considered very striking 

 characters. 



Sciurus siamensis, sp. nov. 



Bright red-brown, grizzled with elongate black tips to the longer 

 hairs, each of which is marked with abroad subterminal yellow band. 

 These black hairs are more abundant, and have broad pale rings on 

 the rump outside of the thighs, and especially on the lower part of 

 the tail, where they nearly hide the general red colour. The terminal 

 half of the tail bright chestnut-brown, without any black hairs or 

 pale rings. The throat, breast, belly, lower part of sides, inner side 

 and edge of the legs, uniform bright red-brown. Ears rounded. 

 Whiskers black. Feet covered with short close-pressed hairs. 



Hah. Siam (M. Mouhot). 



2. Description of a New Species of Freshwater Tortoise 

 FROM Siam. By Dr. J. Edward Gray, F.R.S., V.P.Z.S., 

 Pres. Ent. Soc, etc. 



(Reptilia, PI. XXI.) 



The British Museum has received from M. Mouhot, with some 

 other Reptiles, two specimens of a Freshwater Tortoise, which are 



