11G W. T. Blanford— On the Voles (Arvicola) of tie [No. 2, 



and so are the fourth and fifth ; sometimes the tooth might be considered 

 as having only three spaces. The last inner angle varies in size, but is 

 usually equal or nearly equal to the next in front. In the last tooth the 

 second and third spaces are not distinct ; the posterior portion of the tooth 

 varies, generally (as in the example figured herewith) there is a strong 

 third angle inside, and another equally strong (the third) outside, and be- 

 hind these is a U-shaped lobe with a weak external angle. Sometimes, 

 however, the latter angle is wanting, whilst occasionally, on the other 

 hand, a fourth internal angle is also well developed, as in A. sihimensis ; 

 and in one specimen this is stronger than the corresponding inner angle. 



The anterior lower tooth also varies considerably. The angles on 

 opposite sides are sometimes so perfectly parallel in position that there are 

 only six spaces, the first and second being always imperfectly separated. 

 The anterior inner angle too is very variable, being sometimes as strong as 

 in A. sihimensis, sometimes altogether wanting. 



The following are the dimensions of a skull : — 



inch. 

 Length from occipital plane to end of nasals ... 0*9 



Breadth across hinder part of zygomatic arches ... 056 



„ between orbits ... 0*19 



Length of nasal suture ... 0'24 



Breadth of interparietal ... 0-33 



Length of upper molars ... 022 



Distance between upper molars and incisors ... 0*25 



Length of lower jaw from angle to symphysis ... 55 



„ „ molars ... 24 



The interparietal is generally more or less pentagonal, the lateral 

 extremities being usually truncated, though occasionally angulate or sub- 

 angulate. The posterior edge is usually nearly straight, sometimes convex, 

 the two anterior edges very little concave, and the anterior angle very 

 slightly projecting. The nasals diminish regularly in breadth behind. 



Besides the original examples from Moupin and Western Sechuen, 

 specimens have been sent to the Paris Museum from the western part of 

 the province of Fokien, the South-western China. 



This species is undoubtedly very close to A. sihimensis, from which it 

 is only distinguished by its shorter ears and feet, the characters of the 

 teeth not being sufficiently constant to serve as a satisfactory distinction. 

 It is far from improbable that intermediate forms may exist in the Bhutan 

 and the other Eastern Himalayan tracts intervening between Sikkim and 

 Moupin. 



