AEVICANTHIS NILOTICUS. 
279 
AEVICANTHIS. 
Arvicanthis, Lesson, Nouv. Tab. Eeg. Anim. 1842, p. 147. 
These Field-Rats, of which there are many species, are found all over Africa: they 
are characterized by a speckled fur and are often longitudinally striped (as is the case 
with the Barbary Mouse); the ears are rounded and almost invariably of a brick-red 
colour. The first and fifth toes of the hind feet are very short, the three middle ones 
long and of almost equal length. The skull is strong, the palate narrow and not 
prolonged behind the molars ; the lower jaw is very deep and massive. Teeth as in 
Mus, 
Arvicanthis niloticus, Desmar. (Plate XLVI.) 
Lemmus niloticus, E. Geoffr. Cat. Mus. Paris (nom. nud.). 
Arvicola niloticus, Desmarest, Ency. Method., Mamm. Suppl. 1822, p. 281. 
Hypudccus variegatus, Licht. Verz. Doubl. Berlin, 1823, p. 2. 
Hypudceus niloticus, Brants, Muizen, 1827, p. 87. 
Mus variegatus, Brants, Muizen, 1827, p. 102. 
Echimys niloticus, Geoffr. et And. Descr. Egypte, ii. 1829, p. 734 ('‘Ecliimys d'Egypte,” Atlas, 
pi. V. fig. 2); id. ibid. 2® ed. 8vo, Hist. Nat. v. p. 186. 
Arvicanthis niloticus. Lesson, Nouv. Tab. Eeg. Anim. 1842, p. 147. 
Isomys variegatus, Sundev. K. Vet.-Ak. Handl. (1842) 1843, p. 220. 
Isomys variegatus, var. major et var. minor, id. ibid. 
$. Minia. Major E. H. Brown, R.E., C.M.G. 
Eayum. 
$. Assuan. 
d ? . Gizeh. Capt. S. S. Flower. 
3 (J, 1 $ . Plain of Tokar. 
Head moderately pointed; distance between the inner canthus of the eye and the 
tip of the snout very slightly in excess of the interval between the external canthus 
and the base of the anterior margin of the conch. Ears broadly rounded, when 
laid forwards reaching to the posterior canthus or a little anterior to it, but never 
covering the eye. Tail invariably a little shorter than the length of the body and 
head. Hind feet large. 
Hairs deep black, but with a broad subapical yellow band tipped with black, the 
yellow bands and black tips giving a speckled or variegated appearance to the fur; 
