126 Mr. BELL on a new Species of Phalangista. 
food in their fore paws, which, with the face, are the only 
parts apparently standing out from the ball of fur, of which the 
body seems at that time to be composed. They are perfectly 
harmless and tame, permitting any one to hold and caress them 
without ever attempting to bite, but. do not evince the least at- 
tachment either to persons about them or even to each other. 
The analogy of these animals to the Rodentia, and especially to 
the genus Myozus, is. so obvious as to require merely a casual 
notice of their habits, to strike any one who observes them. It 
is shown in their nocturnal activity, the nature of their food, 
their manner of taking it, their attitudes and motions, no less 
than in many circumstances connected with their external form 
and characters ; as, the general form of the body, the nature of 
the fur, the character of the feet, the prominence and remark- 
able size of the eyes, &c. There is, however, one very im- 
portant peculiarity of the dormouse, which: has not as: yet been 
observed to — to our. animal, and coats is its hyberna- 
tion. ! S | 
The habits of the dormouse apd squirrel in this respect are 
universally known. Every one has seen the: eagerness: with 
which these animals will seize, pick to pieces, and carry to 
their places of repose, such substances as are placed within 
their reach for the purpose of forming their winter bed. :But 
although similar substances have been given to the little animals 
now described, no attempt has up to the present period (Novem- 
ber 4th) been made by them to construct their winter habi- 
tation ; and wherever the wool and other matters are placed, 
there they take their day's rest, without disturbing or altering 
|. the arrangement or situation. 
As both the specimens from which this account is taken are 
still in health, it may be some time before an opportunity is 
afforded of ascertaining their anatomical structure ; but whenever 
such 
