54 J. B. CLELAND. 
The largest numbers of EF. rattus found and submitted at 
the ends of voyages were 90, 71, and 68 (twice) ; in the ma- 
jority of instances under 10 were submitted. The numbers 
of E. norvegicus were 4,2 and 1. The largest numbers of 
house mice submitted were 95, 55 and 37 (twice). The 
largest numbers of mice were found on vessels trading with 
the North Coast of New South Wales, and an undue pro- 
portion of such vessels yielded mice, probably as a result 
of the frequent carriage of fodder. Interstate vessels and 
those plying to New Zealand came next in both respects. 
Mice were only occasionally found on vessels from over- 
seas, aS for instance England. 
Of the three vessels on which Epimys norvegicus were 
found, one came from Vancouver, and one from Noumea. 
In July, 1915, an unusual rat was submitted to us which 
had been caught in the 8.S. Le Maire, in Sydney, from Java. 
It was sent to Oldfield Thomas, at the British Museum, for 
identification. He kindly informed us that the specimen 
was somewhat deteriorated, but appeared to be an example 
of Epimys terre-regine Alston. This species is a native 
of Cape York, in Queensland. On a previous trip this 
steamer had called at Rockhampton, but apparently not 
further north in Queensland. 
Longman! states that the Indian Mole Rat, Gunomys 
(Nesokia) bengalensis Gray and Harden, has occasionally 
been taken on ships in Australian waters. 
The Diseases of Rats. 
The diseases of rats are very important from a human 
point of view, and this for two reasons. In the first place 
certain of the diseases affecting them may be conveyed 
directly or indirectly to man, and in this respect the rats 
2 Notes on Classification of Common Rodents, etc., C’wealth of 
Aust. Quar. Service, Service Public., No. 8, 1916, p. 18. 
