No. 346 Mus Palmarum. — The Nicobar Tree Rat
Habitat.—Nicobar Islands.
No. 347 Mus Ceylonus
Habitat.—Ceylon.
Description.—Fur soft, lead colour; hair of upper parts tipped with dark fawn and black; ears large, naked; whiskers long, black; tail longer than the head and body, scaly.
Size.—Head and body, 4¾ inches; tail, 6 inches.
“This small rat is found in out-houses in the cinnamon gardens at Colombo. I have no reason to think it to be the young of the former species (M. decumanus); the teeth were well developed; the darker colour and long tail will easily distinguish the species from other Colombo rats” (Kellaart). The character of the molar teeth is all that can be depended on in the foregoing description, and this may require further investigation. The young of rats and mice are always darker than the adults, and the tail is longer in proportion.
The following are doubtful species:—
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