Contribution to the Knoiuledge of the Caj^e Golden Moles. 309 



covered in it. Isolated as it is, it is likely that any mole inhabiting 

 it will prove to be new. So far no Golden Moles are known to 

 inhabit the large tract of country between Aberdeen, Graaff Eeinet, 

 Jansenville, and Pearston, though they are found both to the north 

 and to the south. Then it seems remarkable that in a very fine 

 district like Aliwal North Chrysochloris does not occur, while in the 

 very barren Namaqualand there are at least four species. 



Along the coast species have a much wider range, G. hottentota 

 extending from Stellenbosch to Natal, but curiously though Stellen- 

 bosch is separated from the Cape peninsula by only about 20 miles 

 of rather sandy soil, G. hottentota has not yet been found at 

 Capetown. 



The Knysna district with its forest country differs considerably 

 from other parts, and it has two w^ell-marked moles, G. h. corrice and 

 G, duthiecB ; the former with 36 teeth, the latter much smaller and 

 with 40 teeth. Both are nearly black. 



With regard to the species I have thought it better at present to 

 be rather conservative. G. hottentota is apparently a very variable 

 species, and it may be that it includes a considerable number of 

 varieties which are worthy of distinct specific rank. 0. h. corrice, 

 for example, is a very well-marked variety with a strictly local 

 distribution, and were it not that G. hottentota varies in colour so 

 greatly, I should have no hesitation in agreeing to give it full specific 

 rank. In the meantime, however, it seems safer to place it under 

 G. hottentota. 



It may be considered advisable to subdivide the genus, but the 

 lines of division previously suggested do not seem quite sound. 

 The two large forms certainly agree with each other much more 

 closely than they do with the others. But the teeth are so very 

 similar to those of the less specialised species such as C sclateri as 

 to render it questionable if they should be placed quite apart. Then, 

 though some species have lost the posterior talon to the lower 

 molars, intermediate stages of degeneration are met with. In 

 G. obtusirostris the condition of the teeth differs so greatly from that 

 in all others, that it seems right to place it in at least a distinct 

 sub-genus. 



I trust ere long to be able to throw some further light on the 

 distribution of the various species. 



In conclusion, my best thanks are due to Dr. Peringuey, of 

 the South African Museum, to Drs. Schonland and Duerden, of the 

 Albany Museum, to Dr. Warren, of the Natal Government Museum, 

 to Dr. Gunning, of the Pretoria Museum, and to Mr. Fitzsimons, of 

 the Port Elizabeth Museum, for the permission to examine the collec- 



