230 J. Anderson — On tlie Si^h-Oenus Nesokia. [No. 4, 



were nude and only projecting a very short way above the fur, while a 

 broad white band ran from above the nose, through the eye, to the ear. I 

 bad the animal figured and afterwards killed, and on examining the skull 

 there could be no doubt regarding the animal's affinities, and that it was 

 closely allied to Mus (JVesokia) bli/thianus, having the same narrow 

 incisors, compared with 31. (I^.) Jiardwickii, and the same small molars, 

 with wide anterior palatine foramina. 



The ears were nearly symmetrical on either side and, as already stated 

 projected only a little above the fur. It seemed to me, however, that their 

 short character Avas due to their having been artificially cut, as the margin of 

 each ear was rounded and unhaired. I was therefore disposed to conclude 

 that this rat must have been once in confinement, probably on account of the 

 curious sport of a white band from the nose through the eye, and that either 

 to mark the animal so that it could always be recognised, or perhaps with 

 the object of enhancing its value to the uninitiated, its ears had been cut. 

 There could be no doubt but that it was a Nesolcia allied to, but probably 

 distinct from, Mus {N.) hlythianus, 



I was so convinced of this that I sent to the North-West for more spe- 

 cimens of these field rats, and to Mr. Whitwell of the Opium Department, 

 Ghazipur, I am indebted for a female field rat which appears to be a normal 

 example of a species which was first made known by the sport which I have 

 described. 



The following is a description of this species : 



Muzzle short and bluff, less so than in M. (JN'.) liardwicTciiy and slight- 

 ly shorter than in M. {W.) hlythianus. Ears moderately large and rounded. 

 Forehead slightly arched. Tail exceeding the length of the trunk, but not 

 equalling the length of the combined body and head : ringed and sparsely 

 clad. Hind foot well developed. Piles moderately long. Fur not very 

 soft, much coarser than in M. {N.) Imttoni. General colour of upper parts 

 brown or brownish, tending to silvery grey on the under surface. Feet 

 and muzzle flesh-coloured ; hair brownish. Tail nearly black. Claws horny 

 white. 



Dimensions of male and female. 



Length of body and head, 8 '''70 7".75 



„ of tail, 7''-20 7"-00 



„ of hind foot, l^'-39 l"-33 



The skull is considerably larger than that of Mus (iV.) hlythianus, 

 relatively longer and more arched. There is not, however, very great 

 difference in size between the teeth of this form and that of M. (N.) hlythi- 

 anus, and the anterior palatine foramina are much the same in both. The 

 nasals are considerably relatively broader and larger than those of Mus {N.) 



