rdens, between the two iron
bridges. When let loose at the bank, and an attempt was made to catch
them, they immediately dived; and the stronger of the two did not
appear at the surface for some time, when it was observed at a
considerable distance from the bank making for the opposite side."

In confinement these rats are not engaging pets; they show a
considerable amount of surliness and ferocity. I have noticed that
on approaching the bars of the cage, one would grind its teeth, put
back its ears, and fly at you with a grunt.

NO. 327. NESOKIA BARCLAYIANA.
_Barclay's Field-Rat_.

HABITAT.--Northern India, the North-west and some parts of Bengal
(Purneah) and Assam.

DESCRIPTION.--General colour brownish; under surface silvery grey;
feet and muzzle flesh-colour; tail nearly black; claws horny white;
a white band from the nose through the eye; muzzle short and bluff;
forehead slightly arched; tail exceeding the length of the trunk,
but not equal to head and body, ringed, and sparsely clad; fur coarse;
piles moderately long.

SIZE.--Head and body, about 8-3/4 inches; tail, 7-1/4 inches.

This rat was first discovered by Dr. Arthur Barclay at Goona in
Central India, and apparently it appears to be identical with
specimens collected at Srinagar in Kashmir, in the Purneah district,
and in Cachar.

* * * * *

The next two have usually been classed as true _Mus_, and the latter
is to be found in Jerdon; but, from the breadth of the incisors and
the lamination of the molars, which are less sinuous and relatively
larger than in _Mus_, and from other characteristics of the skull,
they are nearer allied to _Nesokia_ than to the true rats.

NO. 328. MUS (NESOKIA) ELLIOTANUS.
_Elliot's Field-Rat_.

HABITAT.--Bengal, Assam, Khasia hills.

DESCRIPTION.--This rat is thus described by Dr. Anderson. It is the
nearest approach in size to the bandicoot: "Head short and deep;
muzzle deep and broad; eye half-way between ear and nose, moderately
large; ears not large, rounded, sparsely covered with short hairs;
feet large and well developed, with strong claws, and sparsely clad;
tail sparsely covered with short bristles on the margins of the
annuli, and nearly equalling the length of the body and head. Pelage
coarse, with moderately large piles, most numerous on the back;
vibrissae moderately long.

"General colour, above brown, with intermixed yellowish or pale
brown hairs producing much