PUTOEITJS AFEICAXUS. 
237 
1895, p. 128), and therefore there can he little doubt that the name Mustela africana^ 
Desm., is applicable to the weasel of Egypt. There appear to be so many intermediate 
forms of weasel that it is extremely difficult to say whether the different forms should 
be regarded as species or whether they should be considered as belonging to one 
species having a very extended range, with many local races varying in size and 
proportionate length of tail. 
Mr. Charles Kothschild has kindly lent, for the purposes of this work, a series of 
both males and females of this animal from the neighbourhood of Cairo. The great 
difference between the size of the sexes is very marked, the females being quite as 
small in proportion to the males as are those of the smaller species of Northern 
Europe. The specimens are unfortunately skins, without record of measurements 
taken in the flesh.—W. E. db W.] 
