234 Synopsis of sundry Species of [April, 



mal is specifically distinct from the Chans, as well as from the Lybian 

 Caracal, to which in some points of colouring, he bears a nearer like- 

 ness than to Chaus. This species is very ubiquitarian, being equally 

 common in all the three regions of Nepal. In the central and north- 

 ern regions, he represents the wild cat, which is not a denizen of these 

 mountains ; nor (I think) of the plains of India. 



The red- eared Lynx breeds twice a year, producing three or four 

 kittens at a birth. 



The intestinal canal of the species barely exceeds twice the length 

 of the body, and is of nearly equal calibre throughout. The caecum 

 is but half an inch long, with a breadth somewhat less than that of 

 the large gut. Preys on pheasants, partridges, hares, and rats : breeds 

 in the woods, but wanders freely through the standing crops. One 

 of them, a female, took up its abode, and bred, under the residency 

 mansion, in the past year. 

 Genus Mus, Auctorum. 

 Subgenus, Rattus, (Mus.) 



Species, R. Niviventer. White-bellied Rat, mihi. 

 Above, saturate black brown : below, pure white ; tail, considerably 

 longer than the body, and paled on the inferior surface. Size and 

 aspect of Mus Rattus. 



Observations. For some time I took this animal to be a variety 

 merely of the common types, but I have now ascertained that it is a 

 distinct species*. It is invariably pure white below, and even the tail 

 is paled on the abdominal aspect. 



The tail, too, is considerably longer than in Rattus. 

 Species, Rattus. Nemorivagus, mihi. Throughout, dusky brown: the 

 centre of the belly only being paler and hoary blue ; the bristles of 

 the back, unusually long and numerous, but not erect or spiny ; 

 tail shorter than the body, size large; snout to rump, 12 inches. 

 Length of the tail, 9^ ; ears, tail, and members strictly assimilating with 

 the ordinary type. 



Remarks. The species avoids houses, dwelling in burrows in the 

 fields, and more especially in the small woods. In the catalogue, it 

 is called Setifer, to which species it bears much resemblance. The. 

 females have twelve teats. 

 Genus, Manis auctorum. 

 Species, Auritus, mihi. Eared Manis. 

 Habitat, lower and central regions. 



* la the central region of Nepal, there are four species of Rat, Decumanus, 

 Rattus, Niviventer, and Nemorivagus. Each distinguished by an appropiate 

 local name, and by some peculiarity of manners. s 



