SAND-MOLES 131 



genera include the graceful little tree-mice of the genus Dendromys, together with 

 the allied genera Limacomys, Steatomys, and Lophuromys ; other genera being 

 Pachyuromys, Mystromys, which is solely South African, Otomys, as represented 

 by the so-called veldt-rats of south-eastern and western Africa, Dasymys, which is 

 restricted to South Africa, and the West African Malacomys and Deomys. To 

 describe the distinctive features of these mice and rats would occupy more space 

 than can be afforded. Easily recognised by its great size, which, exclusive of the 

 long tapering tail, is nearly equal to that of a rabbit, is the giant Gambian rat 

 (Gricetomys gambiamts) of the west coast, where is found another peculiar genus, 

 Saccostomus, represented by the two species of pouched rats. 



By far the most generally interesting of the Ethiopian Muridce are, however, 

 the crested rats of the genus Lophiomys, of which there are several species ranging 

 from Shoa to East Africa. These rats, which are arboreal in habit, are twice the 

 size of an ordinary rat, and derive their name from the crest of long erectile hair 

 running down the middle of the back and tail. With the exception of a broad 

 band running along each side of the body, where it is quite short, looking as 

 though it had been clipped, the body and tail are clothed with long, shaggy hair, 

 which is of a curiously spongy nature at the root. In colour the Shoan species 

 (L. imhausi) is dark grey, due to the admixture of black and white hairs, with a 

 triangular white spot on the face, a white streak below each eye, and a white tail- 

 tip. The band of short hair on the side of the body is probably of a glandular 

 nature. The skull is remarkable for the fact that the temporal region is roofed 

 over with an arched sheath of bone in the same manner as is that of a turtle. 

 These crested rats have no near relatives in any part of the world. 



In Uganda crested rats are reported to live in hollows in trees, particularly 

 junipers, and their habits appear to be very similar to those of tree-hyraxes. 

 Their diet is entirely vegetarian, but their food-plants are probably different from 

 those of hyraxes, for while these rats are easy to feed in captivity, and will eat 

 almost every kind of green food, it is stated to be difficult to keep a tree-hyrax 

 alive more than a week or so. Crested rats appear to have two young ones at 

 a birth, the newly born young being silver-grey in colour with a little bare line 

 along each flank. According to native reports, the adults live in pairs, and if one 

 is taken out of a hole its mate may be taken by going to the same hole next day. 

 They do not appear to utter a particular cry, but when frightened make a peculiar 

 clicking noise with their teeth. 



sand-Mole An Ethiopian family of rodents, the Baihyergidce, is typified by 



Group. the so-called sand-mole (Bathyergus maritimus), of the coast districts 

 of Cape Colony and thence northwards along the west coast to Namaqualand. It 

 is restricted to sandy districts, where it forms burrows and throws up heaps a 

 foot or more in height. In length this rodent measures nearly 18 inches, inclusive 

 of the very short tail ; its colour is uniform slaty grey. The short legs are furnished 

 with four or five toes terminating in powerful claws. The orange-coloured incisor 

 teeth are so large that they cannot be covered by the lips ; external ears are 

 wanting, but bright, shining eyes of the size of a pin's head are buried in the fur. 

 An allied species (Georychus capensis), representing a second genus and locally 

 known as the bles-mole, is also a native of the south and south-west as far as 



