la_, which last has again been subdivided into long-eared and
short-eared Voles--_Arvicola_ and _Microtus_--distinguished by the
former having eight and the latter four mammae, and respectively six
and four tubercles on the plantae, the ears of the latter being almost
hidden by the fur.

None of the forms with which we have now to deal belong to the first
division, for, as far as the matter has been investigated, the Indian
Voles have rootless molars, but the character of the teeth in some
differs from the European forms, and therefore Mr. Blanford has
proposed a new section, _Alticola_, for their reception. I have not
space here, nor would it accord with the popular character of this
work, to go minutely into all the variation of dentition which
distinguish the different species. To those who wish to continue to
the minutest details the study of the Indian Voles, I recommend a
most careful and elaborate paper on them by Mr. W. T. Blanford, F.R.S.,
in the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, vol. L., pt. ii.;
but without entering into the microscopic particulars of each
species, I may here give a general idea of the formation of the teeth
of the _Arvicolae_ differing as it does so much from others of the
myomorphic or mouse-like group of rodents. In these the general
contour of the molar teeth is roundish oblong, the margins being wavy
or indented, according to the convolutions of the enamel, but in the
Voles there is a sharp angularity about these indentations; the
marginal lines, instead of being in well-rounded curves, are sharply
zigzag, forming acute angles. If you were to draw two close parallel
zigzag lines it would give you some idea of the contour of these teeth.
The molars are in fact composed of alternating triangular prisms,
with the outer folds of enamel forming deep and acute angles. The
other characteristics of this family are: skull, with brain case
rhomboidal, frontals much contracted; infra-orbital opening
typical; limbs moderate; tail moderate, or short and hairy.

_GENUS ARVICOLA_.

Muzzle blunt; fore-feet small, with short claws; soles naked; tail
longer than the hind-foot, clad with short hairs; incisors plain,
smooth in front. The fore-feet in some species have but a small wart
in place of a thumb; in others there is a small thumb with a minute
claw. The hind-feet have five toes.

NO. 387. ARVICOLA STOLICZKANUS.
_The Yarkand Vole_.

HABITAT.--Yarkand.

DESCRIPTION.--"Bright ferru