MUS ASSIMILIS, Gould.
Allied Rat.

Mus assimitis, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part xxv. p. 241.
Moor-deet, Aborigines of King George’s Sound.

 

Tue Allied Rat is somewhat numerous in New South Wales. The two specimens from which the characters
of the species were taken for the “ Proceedings of the Zoological Society,” above quoted, were procured by
the late Mr. Strange on the banks of the Clarence. I have three other specimens collected by Mr. Gilbert
at King George’s Sound, which differ only in being about a fifth smaller in all their admeasurements : it is
just possible that it will hereafter be found that these latter animals are distinct from the former, but at
present I regard them as identical, and if such be the case, the range of the species extends along the whole
southern seaboard of the continent from east to west.

The Jus assimilis is about the same size as the Mus decumanus of Europe, and has a very similar aspect ;
its hair, however, is more soft and silky, and its incisor teeth very long and narrow.

Face, all the upper surface and sides light brown, very finely pencilled with black; under surface greyish
buff; the base of the fur all over the body dark slaty grey; whiskers black; tail nearly destitute of hairs ;

all the feet clothed with very fine silvery-white hairs, giving those organs a very delicate appearance.

inches.
ILEMIN iO Ne MOSS tO WHE AS® Orne tall . 2. s co © o 5 c 0 = @
» Of the tail: 203. 25) ee
ss yy POVCSarMO eS
ie » tarsus-and toess 9.2) 8 ee ee

The figures are of the natural size.