MACROSCELIDES RUPESTRIS.
Fur long, soft, silky, and more recumbent than that of M. Typicus. For the
form of the skull and the characters of the teeth, vide Plate XV. 2 a, 2 b,
and 2 c.
DIMENSIONS.
Length from the tip of the prdboscis
to the point of the tail....... 10 6
of the head............................ 2 0
of the proboscis..................... 0
of the ears.............................. 0
of the fore-legs...................... 1 6
of the hind-legs..................... 3 6
Length of the tarsus ......................... 1 1?
of the toes............................. 0 3
Distance between the base of the
proboscis and the eyes........ 0 9
between the eye and the ear. 0 5
Height when standing........................ 2 9
The colours of both sexes are nearly alike.
The shape of the ears, the position of the eyes in relation to the proboscis and ears, the white
ring encircling the eyes, the rufous spot behind the base of each ear, the figure of the proboscis,
the more recumbent direction of the fur, and the greater size of the animal, are external characters
by which this species is readily distinguished from Macroscelides Typicus. Like the last named
species, the range of M. Rupestris is rather extensive: both animals are scattered over a great
portion of the more southern parts of South Africa. The positions'it selects for its habitats are
very different to those chosen by M. Typicus: it is invariably found among rocks,,and it seeks
its hiding-place either in the caverns of these, or under detached blocks of stone. Insects constitute
its food, and during most of the day it wanders in search of them over the rugged surfaces
which characterise the localities it inhabits, and when so occupied, the slightest cause of alarm
drives it instantly to a place of concealment; to attain which, it moves with that extraordinary
rapidity which we have mentioned when speaking of M. Typicus. When uninfluenced by fear,
this as well as the other species appear to walk regularly, but when frightened they seem to
advance by successive leaps.