DENDROMYS MELANOTIS.
The incisor teeth of the upper jaw each have a deep longitudinal groove,
the cutting edge is slightly emarginate; those of the lower jaw are plain
and pointed.
DIMENSIONS.
Inch. Lines.
Length from the point of the nose to the
base of the tail .................... 3 0
of the tail ................................. 2 6
of the head................................. 0 11
The colours of the Male and
Inch. Lines.
Length of the fore-legs ........................ 0 8
- of the hind-legs........................ 1 4
Height when standing .............. 1 4
are nearly the same.
The only examples of this species which I have seen were procured about three hundred
miles to the eastward of the Cape Colony, and all of them were upon underwood at the time
they were obtained. Though it would appear that they are generally found upon shrubs, yet
I am disposed to believe they also resort to the ground, and that probably they have their
subterranean retreats to which they fly in case of danger, as one individual which I discovered
upon a small shrub manifested a decided inclination to descend to the ground, and
it would have accomplished its object, had it not been killed just as it was about to abandon
the lowermost twig.