MAMMALIA. 
73 
house. Mammalia, Vol II, Rodentia, p. 16). Mr. Hodgson's specimens were much smaller, and probably 
younger. 1 2 I observed several which were not longer than seven inches, bnt most of them were about nine 
inches long. 
The people of Korzak called L. curzonice, Phise-harin, which means, as I was informed, tailless P/iise. 
Phase or PJieese is the name of Phaiomys leucurus , 3 which lives here associated with the Lagomys and Arctomys. 
The name Phise-lair in I was told is Tibetan, and the Ladak name for L. curzonice is Sadr a. Hodgson gives the 
name lira; it is, however, well known that the letter s before many words is, in some parts of Tibet, pro¬ 
nounced; in others, not so. 
The first place where I met with L. curzonice was a little above the junction of the Chomoriri with the 
Para valley at a height of about 15,500 feet above the level of the sea. It does not live usually at a lower 
elevation than this; and if otherwise, as in the lower parts of the Puga valley (14,500 feet), it is always scarce. 
Round the Chomoriri lake, where there is comparatively plenty of vegetation, it is associated with Phaiomys 
leucurus , Blyth, and Arctomys bobac , Sehreber. 
L. curzonice ranges, however, somewhat higher. I noticed it on the top of the Lanak pass at an elevation 
of 18,672 feet, where only two minute plants existed— Stracheya tibetica, Bth., and Capsella thomsoni, Hf.—both 
flowering in August. It is found associated with Corvus tibetanus, Hodgs., Gyps fulvus, Gmel., and a new 
species of Procarduelis, among birds ; an Argynnis among butterflies, and some common flies, forming the highest 
observed animal life in these hills. In fact, it is difficult to assign a limit to the height up to which L. curzonice, 
lives. I believe it ranges as high as any trace of vegetation exists, which would be here about 19,000 feet, 
or very near it. Between the two given limits of the Para valley and 19,000 feet, it is seen in great abund¬ 
ance all over the eastern portion of Ladak. It is certainly the species of Adams and Cunningham, as there 
is to my knowledge no other Lagomys here,—at least, none so common. Its geographical range must extend 
farther to the east and south-east, as Mr. Hodgson obtained his specimens from the district of Chumhi (north¬ 
west of Sikkim ?). I have not observed it south of the Baralatse range, either in Spiti or in the south-eastern 
part of Lahoul, the Chandra valley; although Phaiomys leucurus does occur in both provinces, and even in 
Kulu. In Spiti, Lagomys curzonice is represented by the smaller L. roylei, Ogilvy, which there lives between 
12,500 (above Lari) and 16,000 feet, but usually about 13,000 feet. 
(From a comparison of the fine series of specimens in the Indian Mnseum brought back 
by tbe first Yarkand Expedition with those now obtained, it is clear that there is a considerable 
difference between the summer and winter coat of this species. All the specimens now 
obtained, except the two supposed to be from Gogra, have evidently acquired their winter 
fur: the two without labels are undergoing the change; they have the long pale-coloured winter 
f ur on their shoulders and rumps, but have not acquired it elsewhere. Of the specimens 
obtained by the former Expedition, all but one were killed in summer, whilst a single speci¬ 
men procured in October agrees with the other skins collected in the same month and in 
September. The following are the distinctions :— 
Summer Coat. —Eur shorter and very soft, the pale tips not more than a quarter the 
length of the hairs ; general tinge often rufous on the face and back; hair frequently con¬ 
siderably worn, especially on the back, so that the dark basal portion shews. 
Winter Coat. —Eur longer and less soft, the pale tips nearly half the length ; general 
colour rufescent fawn with a slightly greyish tinge; dark basal portion of the fur entirely 
concealed, except on the abdomen; outside of ears alone distinctly rufous, though there is 
a slight wash on the face. At this season the hairs on the soles are much longer, and the 
pads of the toes are sometimes completely concealed. 
1 Hodgson, however, especially states that his specimens were ascertained to he adult hy an examination of the teeth, 
J. A. S. B., 1857, xxvi, p. 207. 
2 Phaiomys Oucurus, Sehreber, in the original. Doubtless Phaiomys leucurus, Blyth, is meant, the specific name being a 
jnisprint. 
T 
