62 BARBARY MOUSE.

circumstance which not unfrequently occurs in the young
of striped animals, and slight vestiges of this original
marking were visible in the society’s specimens. In
every other respect the coincidence was complete.

Their ground colour was dark brown, marked on each
side with five or six yellowish stripes, about half as
broad as the intervening space, extending along the whole
length of the body, and becoming confused towards
the under parts, which are nearly white. On the fore
feet only three toes were at first sight observable, but
on closer inspection, the rudiments of a thumb and also
of a fifth toe were detected. The teeth were precisely
similar to those of the other rats. During their captivity,
these animals appeared healthy and lively, and, with
reference to the habits of the genus, were moderately
tame, though shy and timid.”