48 
SECOND YABKAND MISSION. 
the typical section of true Nesokia , the skull (PL Xa, fig. 2, 2a, &c,) is very much broader 
and shorter than in Mus, and the head consequently has more the form of Arvicola , the brain 
case is especially short and broad, the muzzle short, the anterior palatine foramina compara¬ 
tively short and narrow, both molars and incisors are very broad and the worn surface of the 
former composed of transverse laminae. The hinder margin of the palatine bones is much 
thickened. The tail is comparatively short (except in A. scullyi), and the claws are flattened 
and peculiarly adapted for digging. In all these characters the second section forms a 
transition between typical Nesokia and the bandicoots, so that there is a complete series of 
gradations from an extreme form like N. scullyi to a typical rat like Mus decumanus. In 
N . blythiana and its allies (PL X a, fig. 1, la, &c.,) the molars are more distinctly transversely 
laminated, and both they and the incisors are broader than in Mus, although the teeth are 
inferior in all these characters to those of the typical group of NesoJda; the skull is not so 
broad as in the latter, nor are the anterior palatine foramina so short, but still the skull is 
much broader and shorter, and the anterior palatine foramina much narrower than in true 
Mus. The tail in this section of Nesokia is but little shorter than the head and body, and 
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 satisfactorily, 
the Mus indicus of Geoffroy is a typical Mus, the name indica is inapplicable to the common 
Nesokia of Bengal, for, as he has also shewn, the Arvicola indica of Gray and Hardwicke’s 
“ Illustrations of Indian Zoology ” agrees better with Nesokia hardwickei, with which it was 
identified by Gray. Dr. Anderson also considers that the Arvicola bengalensis of the same 
publication represents the long-tailed Bengal Nesokia. If the fact that these two figures 
represent the two species of Nesokia can be satisfactorily established, N. hardwickei must, 
I think, stand as N. indica , and this will be inconvenient, because the name has been generally 
applied, for at least 16 years, to a distinct species. The long-tailed species, N. indica of Blyth 
and Jerdon, N. blythiana of Anderson, would in the same way retain the oldest name of 
N. bengalensis. But the figures in Gray and Hardwicke’s “ Illustrations ” are by no means 
sufficiently good to render it at all certain what species is represented. There is still, however, 
much probability that one or more of the names given by Mr. Hodgson, Mus hydrophilus , 
M. pyctorhis, M. macropus, or M. plurimammis, may apply to the Bengal Nesokia, and if so, 
such name will take precedence of N. blythiana. 
I am also inclined to think Dr. Anderson right in separating N providens, the South 
Indian form, from his N. blythiana. As regards the distinction of N. barclayana, however, I 
am disposed to suspend my judgment. Dr. Anderson has examined the two animals alive and 
has compared a much larger series than I have, so I adopt his nomenclature, but I cannot 
help doubting whether N. barclayana is more than a local variety of N. blythiana, differing 
slightly in colour, and being of a rather more yellowish-brown tint, owing to its inhabiting a 
drier climate. The differences by which the two species are distinguished besides colour are 
small, and consist of a shorter muzzle, larger, longer and more arched skull, and relatively 
broader nasals in N. barclayana. The last character is noted as variable and the difference in 
size is not sufficient for specific distinction, even if it be constant; but the skull of N. barclay¬ 
ana does appear a little more arched. My impression is that the latter is merely a variety; 
but I may be mistaken. 
The Srinagar specimens collected by Dr. Stoliczka have very harsh, coarse fur, yellowish- 
brown on the back and yellowish-grey below. I think, however, these skins are slightly 
stained, and that when fresh the yellow tinge was not so marked. The fur on the back 
