Subsequent to the description of this species, under the name of _M.
olivaceus_ in the Zoological Society’s Proceedings, I have imagined that
perhaps that name might mislead as regards the colouring of the
animal;—it certainly has a slight olive hue, but it is not very evident.
I have therefore changed the name, and substituted that of the author of
the “Naturgeschichte der Säugethiere von Paraguay,” &c.
In the collection there are three specimens of the present species; in
one of these the hairs of the upper part and sides of the body are
annulated with yellowish white, instead of yellow; hence the general hue
of these parts is nearly gray.
_Mus Renggeri_ is larger than _Mus Musculus_, and much stouter in its
proportions; the fur is shorter, much less dense, and less soft than in
_Mus brachiotis_.
“It inhabits dry stony places, where only a few thickets grow.”—D.
15. MUS OBSCURUS.
PLATE XV.—Fig. 2.
Mus obscurus, _Waterh._, Proceedings of the Zoological Society of
London for February 1837, p. 16.
_M. suprà fusco-nigrescens, subtùs flavescens; pedibus obscurè fuscis;
unguibus longiusculis; auribus mediocribus; caudâ corpore breviore,
suprà nigrescente, subtùs sordidè albâ; vellere mediocri, molli._
DESCRIPTION.—Head large; ears moderate; tail shorter than the body;
fur rather long and glossy; the general hue of that of the upper
parts and sides of the head and body is blackish brown, and that
of the under parts is dirty yellowish white. The hairs on the
upper parts are of a deep lead colour at the base, black at the
apex, and narrowly annulated with dark yellow near the apex; those
of the throat and belly are lead colour at the base and yellowish
at the tip; the chin is white: around the eye, and on the lower
part of the cheeks a deep yellow tint prevails. The ears are well
clothed with hairs both externally and internally, and these are
for the most part of a deep brown colour, as are also the hairs
which cover the feet. The tail is well clothed with hairs, those
on the upper surface are black, and those on the under are dirty
white. Both upper and lower incisors are yellow, but the lower are
paler than the upper.
In. Lines.
Length from nose to root of tail 5 3
of tail 2 7
from nose to ears 1 2½
of tarsus (claws included) 0 11½
of ear 0 4