SPORT AND SCIENCE ON THE 
asiaticus ordinalis), the hare (Lepus swinhoei sub- 
luteus), and the North Shensi sulphur-bellied rat 
(Epimys confucianus luticolor), and is undoubtedly 
due to the general pale buff colour of their sandy 
or loess surroundings. 
Amongst the most interesting species in the 
collection were the three-toed jerboa (Dipus sower- 
by), and the little sand hamster (Phodopus bedford- 
ie), both of which inhabit exclusively the sands 
of the Ordos, and both of which show to a marked 
degree the light sandy colouring. On the other 
hand species such as David’s squirrel (Sciurotamias 
davidianus), the three voles (Microtus johannes, 
M. (Caryomys) inez and Craseomys shansetus), 
the little wood pika (Ochotona sorella), the wood 
mouse (Apodemus speciosus peninsule), and Ander- 
son’s hamster (Cricetulus andersoni), all of which 
inhabit the forested and mountainous districts 
of Western Shansi, show none of this paling of 
colour. 
Another interesting feature in the mammalia 
of these regions is the extreme scarcity of Insecti- 
vores. The only member of this group secured 
on this journey was the hedgehog (Hrinaceus 
mtodon), while the only other Insectivores hitherto 
secured in or near the desert regions are the mole 
(Scaptochirus gillesei) and a shrew (Crocidura sp.), 
from the T’ai-yiian Fu plain in Shansi. It is 
interesting to compare the paucity of this class 
of mammals on the north-western border of China, 
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