MAMMALIA. 



73 



house, Mammalia, Vol II, Rodentia, p. 16). Mr. Hodgson's specimens were much smaller, and probably 

 younger. 1 I observed several which were not longer than seven inches, but most of them were about nine 

 inches long. 



The people of Korzak called L. ciirzonice, P/tise-karin, which means, as I was informed, tailless Phise. 

 Phise or Pheese is the name of Phaiomys lencurus," which lives here associated with the Lagomys and Arctomys. 

 The name Phise-karin I was told is Tibetan, and the Ladak name for L. curzonice is Sabra. Hodgson gives the 

 name Ahra ; it is, however, well known that the letter s before many words is, in some parts of Tibet, pro- 

 nounced ; in others, not so. 



The first place where I met with L. curzonice was a little above the junction of the Chomoriri with the 

 Para valley at a height of about 15,500 feet above the level of the sea. It does not live usually at a lower 

 elevation than this ; and if otherwise, as in the lower parts of the Puga valley (14,500 feet), it is always scarce. 

 Hound the Chomoriri lake, where there is comparatively plenty of vegetation, it is associated with Phaiomys 

 lencurus, Blyth, and Arctomys bobac, Schreber. 



L. curzonice ranges, however, somewhat higher. I noticed it on the top of the Lanak pass at an elevation 

 of 18,672 feet, where only two minute plants existed — Stracheya tibetica, Bth., and Capsella thomsoni, Hf. — both 

 flowering in August. It is found associated with Corvus iibetanus, Hodgs., Gyps fulvus, Gmel., and a new 

 species of Procarduelis, among birds ; an Argynnis among butterflies, and some common flies, forming the highest 

 observed animal life in these hills. In fact, it is difficult to assign a limit to the height up to which L. curzonia 

 lives. I believe it ranges as high as any trace of veg-etation exists, which woidd be here about 19,000 feet, 

 or very near it. Between the two given limits of the Para valley and 19,000 feet, it is seen in great abund- 

 ance all over the eastern portion of Ladak. It is certainly the species of Adams and Cunningham, as there 

 is to my knowledge no other Lagomys here, — at least, none so common. Its geographical range must extend 

 farther to the east and south-east, as Mr. Hodgson obtained his specimens from the district of Chumbi (north- 

 west of Sikkim ?). I have not observed it south of the Baralatse range, either in Spiti or in the south-eastern 

 part of Lahoul, the Chandra valley ; although Phaiomys lencurus does occur in both provinces, and even in 

 Kulu. In Spiti, Lagomys curzonice is represented by the smaller L. roylei, Ogilvy, which there lives between 

 12,500 (above Lari) and 16,000 feet, but usually about 13,000 feet. 



Prom a comparison of the fine series of specimens in the Indian Museum brought back 

 by the first Yarkand Expedition with those now obtained, it is clear that there is a considerable 

 difference between the summer and winter coat of this species. All the specimens now 

 obtained, except the two supposed to be from Gogra, have evidently acquired their winter 

 fur : the two without labels are undergoing the change ; they have the long pale-coloured winter 

 fur on their shoulders and rumps, but have not acquired it elsewhere. Of the specimens 

 obtained by the former Expedition, all but one were killed in summer, whilst a single speci- 

 men procured in October agrees with the other skins collected in the same month and in 

 September. The following are the distinctions : — 



Summer Coat. — Fur shorter and very soft, the pale tips not more than a quarter the 

 length of the hairs ; general tinge often rufous on the face and back ; hair frequently con- 

 siderably worn, especially on the back, so that the dark basal portion shews. 



Winter Coat. — Fur longer and less soft, the pale tips nearly half the length ; general 

 colour rufescent fawn with a slightly greyish tinge ; dark basal portion of the fur entirely 

 concealed, except on the abdomen ; outside of ears alone distinctly rufous, though there is 

 a slight wash on the face. At this season the hairs on the soles are much longer, and the 

 pads of the toes are sometimes completely concealed. 



1 Hodgson, however, especially states that his specimens were ascertained to be adult by an examination of the teeth, 

 J. A. S.B., 1857, xxvi, p. 207. 



2 Phaiomys Cucurus, $chreber, in the original. Doubtless Phaiomys leucurus, Blyth, is meant, the specific name being a 

 misprint. 



T 



