1839] 



in the Southern Mahratta Country. 



217 



The size of both is the same. — Length, 13 to 14 inches; weight of 

 males, 4 oz. 12 drs ; females 4 oz. 11 drs- 



The young are bom without any hair, but three dark lines are visible 

 along the back indicating the position of the future stripes. 



43. — Sciurus Maximus, Gmel. — S. Ejphinstonit, Sykes.. 



Shekra, Mahratta . . . w 



of the Ghats. . \ 



Kes Annalu Canarese 



of the 



arese } •> — 



I have observed the same uniformity of colour in the Ghat variety 

 that has been described by Colonel Sykes ; but it seems doubtful whe- 

 ther mere difference in colour, constitutes sufficient grounds for the for- 

 mation of a new species. I have had both the black and the red kinds 

 alive, and tame, in my" possession, for months together, and I observed 

 the most perfect similarity in their habits, cry, and in every particular 

 except in that of colour. 



Though I never met with individuals of the S. Maximus in the forest, 

 I have often obtained them from the people of the country, who said 

 they caught them in the Southern parts of the mountain range. The 

 same disposition to vary in the shade and distribution of colour has been 

 remarked by Dr. Horsfield in the Java congener of the Indian species, 

 the Jeralang, or Leschenaults squirrel, a specimen of which has been 

 described by Geoffroy as S. Alblceps from a casual difference of this 

 kind. These varieties probably depend on locality, and have given rise 

 to a great multiplication of species. Thus we have the S. Meter ur us of 

 Gmel., identified by Cuvier with S. Maximus i S. Cvylonensis of Ray ; 

 S. Indicus said to come from Bombay, &c. Fischer makes the distinction 

 between S. Maximus, and Macrurua to consist in the former having the 

 eheek stripe terminating simply, while in the latter it is forked. J. B. 

 Fisch. Syn. p. 363. 



44. — Pteromys Pliilippensis ? — New species ? 



Puhhya i Mahratta 



or I 

 Pahya., > of the Ghats... 



Mr. Gray designated the specimens of this species presented to the 

 British Museum by the specific name of Philippensis, and showed a for- 



