PROCEEDINGS OP THE PERTHSHIRE SOCIETY OF NATURAL SCIENCE. 
181 
tain about the middle of the sixteenth century, and to have 
been abundant enough till exterminated in most places by 
the stronger brown rat, which arrived in the eighteenth 
century. The black rat still survives in some seaports, and 
it is possible that we may be able yet to obtain specimens 
from the basin of the Tay. 
25. The Brown or Commsn Rat (Mus decumanus Pall.). 
Par too common, though it is not much more than one 
hundred years ago that it first invaded Scotland. We 
have only one specimen of the common form, but two of a 
beautiful chesnut-coloured variety, recently obtained by 
Sir J. S. Richardson at Pitfour. 
26. The House Mouse (Mus musculus L.). Also much 
too common, though we have only two examples. Several 
varieties occur in a wild state, and we should be glad of 
examples of these. Those which inhabit ricks and barns 
are larger and darker than those living in houses. Of these, 
specimens would be acceptable. 
27. The Long-tailed Field Mouse (Mus sylvaticus L.). 
A common species, but we have only two individuals. 
The Harvest Mouse (Mus minutus Pall.) is very probably 
a Perthshire animal, but I have not seen nor heard of any 
specimens, and, therefore, cannot yet include it in our 
list. Beside being much smaller than the long-tailed field 
mouse (about half the size), the ears are only one-third 
instead of more than ona-half the length of the head, and 
it is more distinctly and mor® sharply marked with white 
on the underside of the body. 
28. The Short-tailed Field Mouse, or Field Vole 
(Arvicola agrestis De Selys.). The voles may be readily 
distinguished from the rats and mice proper by their tails, 
which, besides being shorter, are hairy instead of nearly 
naked and scaly. The field vole is common in Perthshire 
(though we have only one specimen), but it is desirable 
that its distribution should be recorded. 
29. The Red Field-Vole, or Bank-Vole (Arvicola 
glareolus Sch.). We have no specimens of this. It is a 
little smaller than the previous species, is reddish-chesnut- 
coleured above and white below (instead of greyish-brown 
above and pale grey below), and the tail is one-half the 
length of the body instead of only one-third. It seems to 
be more local in its distribution. In Perthshire it has 
been recorded from the Loch Tay district only, but 
probably occurs elsewhere. 
30. The Water-Vole, or Water-Rat (Arvicola amphibius 
L.). A common species in the Lowlands, but information 
as to its Highland distribution is desirable. Two forms 
occur, differing in colour. The common form is 
greyish brown, paler beneath ; the more local one is deep 
black all over. The three specimens we have seem to be¬ 
long to the latter form. Specimens of both forms will be 
acceptable. 
31. The Common Hare (Lepus timidus L.). Still com¬ 
mon enough, though apparently less abundant than it was 
a few years ago. In our collection this species is repre¬ 
sented only by a curious grey-coloured^ variety. Informa¬ 
tion as to its distribution in the Highland districts is 
desirable. 
32. The Mountain Hare (Lepus variabilis Pall.). Com¬ 
mon on the mountains. We have four specimens showing 
different states of the fur, but one or two in the summer 
fur are required, 
33. Tbe Rabbit (Lepus cuniculus L.). Though not an 
indigenous species, the rabbit is now vary abundant. 
Highland specimens seem to differ from Lowland ones in 
size and colour, and there are besides other colour-varieties 
amongst wild rabbits. Any of these will be acceptable, 
as will examples of the common Lowland form, those we 
possess being Highland. 
In concluding this paper, I wish again to solicit assist¬ 
ance from all who desire to help us in our efforts to make 
the Museum as perfect as possible. Considering that it is 
only about two years since we began to make the collec¬ 
tions, some of the departments are, I think, very credit¬ 
able, but this credit cannot b@ claimed for the collection 
of mammals. There are (as will have been seen from my 
remarks) many common species that are inadequately 
represented by specimens. It is very probable that it is 
because these species are common that no one thinks it 
worth while sending in examples. But now that the need 
of them has been pointed out, I trust that the kind friends 
who have assisted us in getting specimens in the other de¬ 
partments will help us,—and that without delay,—in 
this also. Any specimens addressed to me (Dr Buchanan 
White, Annat Lodge, Perth) will be thankfully received, 
and placed in the Museum. 
December 4th, 1884. 
F. Buchanan White, M.D., F.L.S., President, 
in the Chair. 
NEW MEMBERS. 
The following were elected :—Lord-Provost Martin; Mr 
T. Soutar, Commercial Bank; Mr Geo. Cunningham Roy, 
