252 ZOOLOOr. 



H. ahyssinicus is a very distinct form, and, as stated by 

 Dr. Gray, the skin alone is nndistinguishable from that 

 of Hyrax capensis. It is a very much larger species 

 than any of the common Abyssinian forms, very dark- 

 coloured above and dusky beneath, with long, soft fur, 

 and a very conspicuous black dorsal spot. 



I think it probable that the true Hyrax ahyssinicus 

 of Ehrenberg inhabits the neighbourhood of the coast 

 only. The highland species, which is far better known, 

 is the following : — 



15. Hyrax Brucei, Gray. 



Ashkoho, Brace's Travels, vol. v. p. 139, ■with plate. 



Hyrax syriacus, Schreber, Saughth. iv. p. 314, t. 240. 



S. Brucei, Gray, Ann. and Mag. N. H. 1868, i. p. 44.— Cat. 



Cam. &c. Mam. Brit. Mus. p. 287. 

 H. Alpini, Gray, Ann. and Mag. 1868, p. 45. — Cat. Brit. Mus. 



p. 287. 

 H. ferrugineus, Gray, Ann. and Mag. 1869, vol. iii. p. 242. — Cat. 



Brit. Mus. p. 288. 

 H. irrorata, Gray, and var. luteogaster, Ann. and Mag. 1869, 



p. 242.— Cat. Brit. Mus. p. 288. 



After long and careful examination both of the skins 

 and skulls of all the Abyssinian Hyraces which I have 

 been able to see, including the large series of specimens 

 obtained by myself, I am unable to find any constant 

 character by which the different forms above enumerated 

 can be discriminated. In several specimens collected 

 by me, mostly from lower elevations, there is either 

 no trace or only the faintest rudiment of a dorsall spot. 

 When present this is yellow. I was at first disposed 

 to consider those specimens in which the dorsal spot is 

 inconspicuous or absent as belonging to a distinct race. 



