SMMVs 



859 



those of E. rattus, especially on the hind foot. Except for its 

 greater diameter and relative shortness the tail is essentially 

 like that of E. rattus, though the rings tend to be less well 

 defined owing to the greater distinctness of the individual scales 

 of which they are composed. Pur less harsh in quality than 

 that of E. rattus, owing to the less abundance of grooved bristles 

 and the excessive slenderness of such of these hairs as occur. 

 Mammas : p 2 - 2 ; al-1; ?' 3 — 3 = 12. 



Colour. — Upper parts a coarse, variable mixture of dull 

 ochraceous-buff and slaty grey, the back darker than the sides and 

 heavily " lined " (though rarely clouded) with black. Occasionally 

 there is a decided tinge of russet on posterior half of back. 

 Underparts greyish white, usually with an inconspicuous wash 

 of cream-buff. Ear dull hair-brown. Feet concolor with under- 

 parts. Tail obscurely bicolor, the hairs blackish above, whitish 

 below, the skin everywhere distinctly appearing at surface. 



Skull. — Brain-case narrow and almost sub-cylindrical in aspect, 

 the lateral ridges evident but not greatly developed ; width of 



FIH. 174. 

 Epimys norveyicus. Nat. size. 



brain-case across ridges about equal to outer length of parietal ; 

 interparietal with convexity of anterior and posterior borders 

 sub-equal, seldom if ever showing the conspicuous contrast 

 normally present in E. rattus; width of basioccipital along 

 anterior border decidedly more than half median length. 



