328 
THE MAMMALS OF EGYPT. 
Until more is known of the Hyraces of Egypt, nothing can be definitely said as to 
the number of species inhabiting the country. The synonymy quoted on p. 324 
agrees with that given by Mr. Oldfield Thomas, who collected all the available 
material to be found in the museums of Europe, when writing his paper for the 
‘ Proceedings of the Zoological Society ’ in 1892. Whether P. hurtoni is distinct from 
P. ruficeps is still unsettled. 
The Hyrax of Sinai (P. sinaitica, Ehrenb.) is supposed to have softer fur; 
unfortunately the skins which should have accompanied the skulls collected by 
Messrs. Hume and Skill have been lost, a most unfortunate circumstance, for the 
true relationship of the Egyptian and Sinaitic Hyraces is still uncertain; the latter 
animal is supposed to be specifically identical with P. syriaca^ Schreb., but whether 
both P. Tujice^s and P. hurtoni are truly distinct from P. syriaca has not so far been 
clearly shown. 
Mr. H. S. L. Beadnell writes on 12th July, 1899 :—“ I give the following information 
on the authority of Hr. Schweinfurth: ‘ Hyrax footprints were numerous in the upper 
part of Wadi Shietun (that is, above Ain Shietun), where there is a precipice dividing 
the valley and impassable to most animals.’ ^ I did not myself find them in the lower 
part of this valley on my recent visit. 
“ Dr. Schweinfurth further informs me that the Hyrax lives on the bark, wood, 
branches, and sprigs of Ochradenus haccatus, DeC., the ‘ Gurdhi ’ of the Arabs. 
The native name for the animal is ‘ Wabber.’ ”— W. E. de W.] 
^ Mention is made of this circumstance in the Introduction to the first volume of the ‘ Zoology of 
EgypV 1898, p. sxix. Dr. Schweinfurth named this'valley “Valle di Hyrax.” Mr. E. A. Floyer also 
observed a colony in Wadi Kittar. 
