1/8 }5R()()KI.Y.\" MlSKl'.M SCIKXCE BILLKTIX 3. 5. 
sents a continuation of tlic shaft. Tlie lesser trochanter is small and 
(iisto-cauclad to the head, on tlie niechal surface. The lateral crest is not 
well developed. The trochlea is shallow. 
The ])atella is large and well developed. It is rather pear-shaped, 
bein,L,r 3 mm. in lencith. It lils ( Icjse against the trochlea. 
The tibia is 14 mm. This bone is flattened latero-mediad. There are 
two tuberosities on the proximal head. A prominent crest on the shaft 
is present. 
The slender fibula, measuring IJ.5 mm. is situated caudad to the tibia, 
except its most distal portion, which is laterad. It is separated from 
the tibia for its entire length. The head articulates directly to the lateral 
tuberosity of the tibia. The distal portion of the fibula terminates in 
the malleolus. 
The tarsus is composed of eight bones. The calcaneum is the largest 
and next in size is the astragalus. 
The metatarsus has five bones, the fifth being the shortest. This 
bone is 3 mm. in length, the tirst 4 mm., the second 4.5 mm., the third 
7 mm. and the fourth is h mm. in its length. A pair of metatarso- 
pharyngeal sesan.Kjid bones are located at the joint of each digit There 
are three digits to each toe, except the pollex, which has onlv two. Each 
digit bears a short weak claw. 
DlSTRlBTTION. 
The habitat of HctcroccphaJus as given !)}■ Ruppell is the meadovr 
valleys of Shoa, south of Ab_\ssinia, where it lives in earthen cavities. 
Parona and Cattaneo give the range of this rodent as the whole of Somali 
from Berbera to the Juba River. The British ]\Iuseum specimen of 
H. ansorr/ci was taken between Xgomeni and Kinani, !Makindu country, 
British East Africa, while the Brooklyn Museum specimens, collected 
by Mrs. Delia J. Akeley, were taken west of the Kinna River. Kenya 
Colony, East Africa. Drake-Brockman (K^io), speaking of the Xaked 
Rat. says it is found in the coldest parts of Somaliland. This writer 
found it common on the (iolis Range, and from there right awa}- to 
Hargeisa and south into Hand. He has caught it as far south as 
Banissa, Gurre country, British East Africa. 
Thus the range of the Naked Rat includes a considerable portion of 
ICa.st x\frica from Berbera on the Gulf of Aden, through the better part 
of .\byssinia and all of Italian .Somaliland as far south as southern British 
I""-ast -Africa. 
