270 
THE MAMMALS OF EGYPT. 
PSAMMOMYS. 
Psammumys, Cretzschm. Riipp. AtlaSj 1828, p. 56. 
Closely resembling Meriones, but with shorter ears. The skull and molar teeth 
also closely resemble those of Meriones, but the incisors are broader and flat, with 
no median groove. 
PsAMMOMYS OBESUS, Cretzschm. (Plate XLIV.) 
Psammomys obesus, Cretzschin. Riipp. Atlas, 1828, p. 58, pi. 22 ; Lataste, Act. Soc. Linn. Bord. 
1885, p. 269 (sep. p. 147); id. Expl. Tunis. 1887, p. 28. 
Psammomys roudairei, Lataste, Le Nat. 1881, p. 492 (juv. fide auct.). 
2 ? . Mandara, Alexandria. Dr. Walter Tnnes, Bey. 
5 $ & 4 juv. Mandara, 17.4.92. 
1 juv. 2, a litter of 5. Mandara. 
This species, specimens of which occasionally much resemble examples of Meriones 
melanurus, is at once distinguished by its smooth incisors and short, thick, rounded 
ears. The length of the forearm from the elbow to the tip of the middle Anger is 
considerably in excess of the length of the tarsus, and the hand, except in being 
stouter, is exactly like that of Meriones, with the tarsal tubercles the same, but 
more developed. The palm and the fingers are clad in much the same way as in 
Meriones, but there is generally a strong brush of hair, usually bright rusty brown, at 
the base of the toes, which not unfrequently becomes worn off with age. 
The nose is rather prominent, and the muzzle somewhat broad, but contracting 
behind the moustachial area. The fore limbs are well developed, and the claws short 
and strong. The eye is of moderate size, smaller than in Meriones shawi. The 
ears are short, rounded, and thick, and when laid forwards do not reach beyond the 
posterior angle of the eye. 
The tail is shorter than the body, round, rather thick, and scaly, but the rings are 
hidden, as it is well clad with shortish hairs, which increase in length on the dorsal 
surface and sides, while the terminal half, or nearly so, is clad with long dark brown 
hairs. 
The moustachial hairs are moderately long, mixed white and black. The general 
colour of the animal is yellowish sandy, purest yellow on the under parts and on the 
sides and limbs, palest on the upper surface of the feet. On the head and back, 
the fur having black tips to the hair, and the subterminal yellow bands being richer 
