48 
SECOND YARKAND MISSION. 
the typical section of true Nesokia, the skull (PL Xa, fig. 2, 2a, &c,) is very much broach* 
and shorter than in Mus, and the head consequently has more the form of Arvicola, the bra 
case is especially short and broad, the muzzle short, the anterior palatine foramina comp aia 
tively short and narrow, both molars and incisors are very broad and the worn surface of 1 ^ 
former composed of transverse laminae. The hinder margin of the palatine hones is u* 11 ^ 
thickened. The tail is comparatively short (except in A. scullyi), and the claws are flatten® 
and peculiarly adapted for digging. In all these characters the second section form s ^ 
transition between typical Nesokia and the bandicoots, so that there is a complete series 0 
gradations from an extreme form like N. scullyi to a typical rat like Mus decumanus ■ ^ 
N. blytliiana and its allies (Pl. X a, fig. 1, la, &c.,) the molars are more distinctly transverse y 
laminated, and both they and the incisors are broader than in Mus, although the teetb are 
inferior in all these characters to those of the typical group of Nesokia ; the skull is not ^ 
broad as in the latter, nor are the anterior palatine foramina so short, hut still the skull * 
much broader and shorter, and the anterior palatine foramina much narrower than in u ^ 
Mus. The tail in tins section of Nesokia is hut little shorter than the head and body, aD 
the claws are more compressed than in N. hardwickei and its allies. 
I quite agree with Dr. Anderson that if, as he appears to have ascertained satisfactory r 
the Mus indicus of Geoffroy is a typical Mm, the name indica is inapplicable to the comm 0 ^ 
Nesokia of Bengal, for, as he has also shewn, the Arvicola indica of Gray and Hardwftk 6 
“Illustrations of Indian Zoology ” agrees better with Nesokia hardwickei, with which ft g 
identified by Gray. Dr. Anderson also considers that the A rvico la bengalensis of the sa 
publication represents the long-tailed Bengal Nesokia. If the fact that these two &o xn ^ 
represent the two species of Nesokia can he satisfactorily established, N. hardtoickei m 11 
I think, stand as N. indica, and this will he inconvenient, because the name has been gene# 1 ^ 
applied, for at least 16 years, to a distinct species. The long-tailed species, N. indica of j. 
and Jerdon, N. blytliiana of Anderson, would in the same way retain the oldest nam e 
N. bengalensis. But the figures in Gray and Hard wicke’s “ Illustrations ” are by no m e 
sufficiently good to render it at all certain what species is represented. There is still, howe' ’ 
much probability that one or more of the names given by Mr. Hodgson, Mus hydrops ^ 
M. pry dor his, M. macropus, or M. plurimammis, may apply to the Bengal Nesokia, and ft 
such name will take precedence of N. blytliiana. a 
I am also inclined to think Dr. Anderson right in separating N. providens, the S° u ^ 
Indian form, from his N. blythiana. As regards the distinction of N. barclayana, hoW eve ^ ( j 
am disposed to suspend my judgment. Dr. Anderson has examined the two animals ali ye c ot 
has compared a much larger series than I have, so I adopt his nomenclature, but I can ^ 
help doubting whether N. barclayana is more than a local variety of N. blytliiana, diff® r ^ 
slightly in colour, and being of a rather more yellowish-brown tint, owing to its inhabit* 0 ® 
drier climate. The differences by which the two species are distinguished besides colour ‘ 
small, and consist of a shorter muzzle, larger, longer and more arched skull, and relat* -1 
broader nasals in N. barclayana. The last character is noted as variable and the di fferen 0,0 ^ 
size is not sufficient for specific distinction, even if it he constant ; hut the skull of N. l )n> f , . ; 
ana does appear a little more arched. My impression is that the latter is merely a van 
hut I may he mistaken. 
The Srinagar specimens collected by Dr. Stoliczka have very harsh, coarse fur, yello w1 ' 
sli 
stained, and that when fresh the yellow tinge was not so marked. The fur on the ^ 
brown on the hack and yellowish- grey below. I think, however, these skins are sh» 
•lfttf 
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