PTEEOMYS. 285 



It is closely allied to S. nitidus. 



A. M. -Edwards is inclined to interpret the difference of colour manifested by 

 the head, back, and tail of tliis squirrel as probably due to a seasonal change. 

 This species is from the district of Moupin in Tibet. 



Pteromys magnificus, Hodgson. 



Pteromys magnificus, Hodgson, Journ. As. Soc. Beng*. vol. v. 1836, p. 231; iUd. vol. x. 1841, p. 915; 



Cal. Journ. Nat. Hist. vol. iv. 1844, p. 293 ; Ogilby, Eoyle's 111. Him. Bot. Mem. Mamm. 



1840, p. 13; Gray, List Mamm. B. M. 1843, p. 134; Cat. Nepal Mamm. &c. B. M. 1846, 



p. 22; Geoff. St.-Hilaire, Voy. aux Ind. Orient. Jacquemont Zool. 1844, p. 65; Blyth, 



Jom-n. As. Soc. Beng. vol. xvi. 1847, p. 866; iUd. vol. xxviii. 1859, p. 277; Cat. Mamm. 



As. Soc. Mus. 1863, p. 95; Horsfd. Cat. Mamm. E. Ind. Co.^s Mns. 1851, p. 161; Proc. 



Zool. Soc. 1856, p. 403; Jerdon, Mamm. Ind. 1867, p. 177. 

 Scinropterus nitidus, Hodgson, Proc. Zool. Soc. vol. iv. 1835, p. 98. 

 8ciuropterus nobilis, Gray, Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist. vol. x. 1842, p. 263 ; List Mamm. B. M. 



1843, p. 134; Cat. Nepal Mamm. &c., Hodgson's Coll. 1846, p. 22; Hodgson, Journ. As. Soc. 



Beng. vol. xiii. 1844, p. 67; Blyth, Journ. As. Soc. Beng. vol. xvi. 1847, p. 866; ibid. 1859, 



p. 277. 

 Sciuroj)terus chrysothryx, Hodgson, Journ. As. Soc. Beng. vol. xiii. 1844_, p. 67, plate, fig. 1 ; Cal. 



Journ. Nat. Hist. vol. iv. 1844, p. 293. 

 Pteromys nohilis, Blyth, Journ. As. Soc. Beng. vol. xvi. 1847, p. 866; Horsfield, Cat. Mamm. 



E. Ind. Co.'s Mus. 1851, p. 160. 



The typical specimens of P. magnificus, Hodg., P. nohilis, Gray, and P. chryso- 

 thryx, Hodg., are all squirrels equalling each other in size and found living together 

 in the Himalayas. They present so many striking similarities and are so linked 

 together by intermediate forms in the area of their distribution that Kttle or no 

 doubt can exist regarding their specific identity. There are no data, however, to 

 guide us to the causation of these variations. 



In a young specimen of P. magnificus, the characteristic golden dorsal line 

 is well defined, whereas in an older individual it is absent, with the exception of 

 two obscure pale diffused yellow patches, far separated from each other. In a 

 specimen referred to P. nobilis the dorsal line is whoUy wanting, while in others 

 it is well defined. These specimens agree with each other in all other respects, 

 so that the presence or absence of the dorsal line is a character of little importance 

 on account of its variability. The back of the animal is rich lustrous dark 

 maroon-chestnut, the hairs having black tips, and being finely but obscurely 

 punctulated with dark orange. The body colour extends on to the upper surface 

 of the neck and on to the head, but in the former of these localities the hairs are 

 frequently broadly tipped with yellow, whUe many hairs on the forehead are also 

 similarly marked, the hairs around the muzzle and eye being almost black. The 

 ears are large, with the posterior margin nearly straight, and they are semi-nude, 

 being only sparsely clad with pale red hairs on the external aspect, and with bright 

 red hairs posteriorly, but the base of then' upper surface is clad with long hairs. 

 The sides of the face below the eye are yellowish. The upper surface of the 



