300 Transactions of the South African Philosophical Society. 



Chkysochloeis hottentota ieis, Thos. and Schw. 



This sub-species was recently described by Thomas and Schwann 

 from three specimens obtained in Zululand by Grant. It is charac- 

 terised as follows : " Size markedly smaller than in A. Jwttentottus, 

 and the claws rather feebler. Nasal pad apparently as in that 

 species. General colour smoky blackish, the hairs slaty at their 

 bases, dark silvery grey subterminally, the tips black with a greenish 

 iridescence. Sides rather lighter, but without rufous tinge, which is, 

 however, present in specimen No. 874. Under side dark grey 

 {' mouse grey '), a narrow median line rather darker. Chin dull 

 whitish, which colour extends upwards on each side of the cheeks. 

 Crown and top of muzzle brown, finely flecked with white, and with 

 a patch about 2 mm. in diameter over each eye. Limbs grey like 

 the lower surface, the wrists lighter. Skull similar in shape to that 

 of A. hottentottiis, but markedly smaller throughout." " Head and 

 body, 116 mm.; hind foot (s.u.), 13." ** Skull: greatest length, 

 25*4; basal length, 20; greatest breadth, 15*6; greatest height, 12-3; 

 interorbital breadth, 8 ; front of i' to back of m^, 10 ; palate, breadth 

 across premolars, 8-7." *' This distinct species may be readily 

 recognised by its smaller size as compared with A. hottentottus.'' 



While it is manifest that this type differs pretty markedly from 

 typical G. hottentota in colour, its affinities with it are betrayed by 

 the rufous tinge in specimen No. 874, and by the " crown and 

 muzzle brown finely flecked with white and with a patch about 

 2 mm. in diameter over each eye." The white flecking is present 

 in many of the Stellenbosch and St. John's specimens, and the white 

 spot over the eye is also a common feature. As for its smaller size, 

 it has been already pointed out that C. hottentota is often consider- 

 ably smaller, some of the typically reddish specimens from Grahams- 

 town which are fully adult having skulls of only 23 mm. greatest 

 length. 



Chrysochloris hottentota corri^, Thos. 



This is the typical variety of C. hottentota found in the Knysna 

 forest. It has recently been described by Thomas, and is charac- 

 terised as follows : " Eather smaller than A. hottentottiis. General 

 colour dark smoky blackish, darker than in A. iris, with a beautiful 

 iridescent sheen, greenish to coppery-violet, over the whole upper 

 surface. Sides and belly not or slightly lighter, a slight brownish 

 tone occasionally present along the centre of the abdomen. Hairs 

 of back 8-9 mm. in length, their bases dark slaty grey, their ends 

 lighter and more brownish grey subterminally, and their tips 

 iiidescent blackish brown. Crown and forehead like back. Cheeks 



