MAMMALIA. 283 



The general colour is greyish brown, with whitish 

 marks over the eyes, and before and behind the base of 

 the ears. Some of the lower moustachial hairs are white. 



Some of the specimens of this animal in spirits pro- 

 cured by Mr. Jesse, have been sent to Dr. Peters, who 

 is preparing a complete description of them for the Zoo- 

 logical Society of London. 



The figure in the " Nova Acta" gives a very poor idea 

 of this animal, far worse than Blyth's original description. 

 It is much too rufous and pale. Indeed, it differs so 

 much, that I thought I had a distinct species, until I 

 compared my specimens with the original type in the 

 Indian Museum in Calcutta. 



33. Mus abyssinicus, Eiipp. 



Eiipp. Mus. Senck. iii. p. 104, t. vii, f. 1. 



This is not a true Mus, but apparently no genus has 

 been proposed for the little group to which it belongs. 

 A very similar animal from Mosambique is the type of 

 the genus Pelomys of Peters ; but the dentition, as 

 poiated out by that naturalist, shows important dif- 

 ferences. 



Mus abyssinicus was found by Rtippell high on the 

 mountains of Samyen. I met with it abundantly above 

 10,000 feet on the Wandaj pass, and the Wadela plateau, 

 near Santara. On the lower parts of the plateau, near 

 Esindy^ I did not observe it. It inhabits grassy plains, 

 which are burrowed in all directions by its holes, and the 

 little animals may be seen by dozens running about. It 

 appears peculiar to the subalpine fauna. 



