MJMMAIJA. 2.15 



longitudiual, yellow, dorsal spot. The animal is fully- 

 adult, but not aged. The skull is much crushed, and 

 I have not extracted it. 



The second specimen (No. 886) differs even more from 

 the type, and very possibly should be classed with the 

 next species. It is of a very dark brown colour, much 

 mottled with black, all the under fur being blackish ; the 

 hairs are yellowish brown near the end and tipped with 

 black. There is a rudimentary Much dorsal spot, the 

 hairs on the centre of the back being quite black near 

 the base, and only very slightly tipped with paler colour. 



The habits of the Abyssinian Hyraces are precisely 

 similar to those of Syria and the Cape. Thpy live in 

 rocky or stony places, in communities, like rabbits, 

 hauntiag holes beneath the rpcks, A large pilp pf loose 

 blocks, especially if there are precipices around, is sure to 

 be inhabited by them. They are frequently found, tpo, 

 in rocky watercourses. They appear to feed at nig}^t 

 and very early in the morning, their principal food being 

 the leaves and young shoots of trees and biishes. Irt 

 the stomach I invariably found a green m^s too much 

 crushed for the separate leaves to be distinguished. 

 During the day they lie out upon rocks in the shade, 

 or retire, especially towards midday, beneath the rocks. 

 They are timid and wary, rushing into their holes at 

 the smallest intimation of danger. The only sound I 

 heard made by them was a shriU squeak when suddenly 

 alarmed. They can climb over smooth surfaces of rock 

 in a wonderful manner, their large flat feet aiding them 

 in obtaining a holcl. 



