SECOND YARKAND MISSION. 
The two specimens in the collection were both procured by Dr. Bellew ; (Dr. Stolic^ 
did not traverse the Nubra valley). They differ so much from each other, that I waS t 
a time disposed to consider them as belonging to distinct species, hut there is no im P° r ‘ 
difference between the skulls. Both were shot in October. The following is the descUP 
of the older specimen, which I suppose to he still in summer vesture. The skin has 
slightly stained, and is rather more rufous than it should he. ^ 
General colour rufous brown (very dark-brownish tawny) above, white below ; 
whitish below, sooty .black above ; face and anterior surface of ears like the back, tips ot e 
black, the colour running for some distance down the posterior margin. . g jj 
Fur soft but short, scarcely an inch long on the middle of the hack, very pale brown 
at the base for about half its length (palest as usual in the middle of the back), then 
brown; towards the end pale rufous brown, the extreme tips being frequently black on 
back. Neck and breast pale rufous ; the basal portion of the hair browner. Head in 
brown; cheeks rather paler; ears brown in front outside, pale brown behind, black at the ^ 
and for some distance down the posterior margin ; hair on the inside of the ear and on ^ 
anterior margin isabelline. The hair on the head and ears everywhere very short, so that ,• 
ears are almost naked inside. A light brown band down the front of the fore-leg, the ex 
portion of thigh and tarsus the same colour : pads darker. Hams of lower portion and ^ 
of tail huffy 1 white throughout, those of the upper surface sooty black near the 
blackish ashy towards the base. Length of dried skin from nose to rump 16| ; tail with h 
at end 4, without 3 ; tarsus to end of claws 275 ; ears outside, from the head between the 
4-5, from orifice 3'5 ; breadth laid flat 2-25. s j, 0 t 
The following is the description of the younger specimen which has been, I think, ^ 
whilst assuming the winter coat. In midwinter, however, it would doubtless be pale* ^ 
greyer, its dark brown colour being due to the newness of its fur. This is the spec 1 
figured on PI. IV. njte i 
General colour above dusky brown, with an ashy tinge on the rump, lower parts " ^ 
tail white, with a broad black band on the upper surface. The fur is very soft and short , ^ 
hair on the middle of the back being only three-quarters of an inch long, and on the rum ^ 
The dorsal fur is ashy at the extreme base, then very pale, hair brown ; in the longer ' 
towards the tip there is a dusky ring succeeded by a very pale rufous one, the extrem ^ 
being black. Nape and neck above and at the sides pale rufous ; breast similar but P al( '^j 0]J 
duller. Head dusky brown ; the hairs buff and blackish mixed, whitish round the eye 
the chin ; whiskers mostly black, the apical portion of the longer . and a few of the sia ^ f u 
lower hairs white. Ears thinly clad near the margins inside with whitish hair ; a •,*, 
band near the posterior edge ; the edge itself buff, the anterior edge with longer white ... 
anterior external portion of the ear mouse-brown, (finely mixed dusky and buff,) posteii 
tion very pale-brownish grey. Apex of the ear externally black ; a line of the same ^ 
runs forward for about an inch from the apex and just outside the posterior margin to 1 
half-way down the ear. Limbs mostly white, a very light brown stripe down the 1 c ]ies 
the fore-legs. Length of skin (apparently stretched) from nose to rump about 20 111 
ear from head between the ears 4’ 25, from orifice 3‘5; breadth laid flat 2 - 25; tarsus 
calcaneum to end of claws 4-6. 
1 The colour is probably white, but the specimen with some others was packed damp and 
this account the specimen has not been figured. 
■ ed- 
appears to have become stoU^ 
