MACROSCELIDES RUPESTRIS. 
Fur long, soft, silky, and more recumbent than that of M. Typicus. For the 
form of the skull and the characters of the teeth, vide Plate XV. 2 a, 2 b, 
and 2 c. 
DIMENSIONS. 
Inches. Lines. 
Length from the tip of the proboscis 
to the point of the tail 10 6 
of the head 2 0 
of the proboscis 0 6^ 
of the ears 0 9^ 
of the fore-legs 1 6 
of the hind-legs 3 6 
Inches. Lines 
Length of the tarsus 1 1 | 
of the toes 0 3 
Distance between the base of the 
proboscis and the eyes 0 9 
between the eye and the ear. 0 5 
Height when standing 2 9 
The colours of both sexes are nearly alike. 
The shape of the ears, the position of the eyes in relation to the proboscis and ears, the white 
ring encircling the eyes, the rufous spot behind the base of each ear, the figure of the proboscis, 
the more recumbent direction of the fur, and the greater size of the animal, are external characters 
by which this species is readily distinguished from Macroscelides Typicus. Like the last named 
species, the range of M. Rupestris is rather extensive : both animals are scattered over a great 
portion of the more southern parts of South Africa. The positions it selects for its habitats are 
very different to those chosen by M. Typicus : it is invariably found among rocks, and it seeks 
its hiding-place either in the caverns of these, or under detached blocks of stone. Insects consti- 
tute its food, and during most of the day it wanders in search of them over the rugged surfaces 
which characterise the localities it inhabits, and when so occupied, the slightest cause of alarm 
drives it instantly to a place of concealment ; to attain which, it moves with that extraordinary 
rapidity which we have mentioned when speaking of M. Typicus. When uninfluenced by fear, 
this as well as the other species appear to walk regularly, but when frightened they seem to 
advance by successive leaps. 
