THE PEN-TAIL. 



345 



means of sight. But the curious examples of Insectivora which are collected into the single 

 genus Tupaia are of a very different nature, living in the full light of day, and seeking their 

 insect prey among the branches of the trees on which they dwell. It needs, therefore, that 

 animals which obtain their food in such a manner should be endowed with excellent powers 

 of vision ; and we find accordingly that the Tupaias which animals will be represented by 

 two examples are furnished with good eyes and quick sight. Indeed, the entire aspect of 

 these creatures reminds the observer more of the squirrels than of the moles. The Tupaias 

 are inhabitants of Sumatra and parts of India. 



The head of this animal is very singular in its shape, which is well represented in the 

 engraving. The upper jaw is slightly longer than the lower, and the muzzle considerably 

 elongated, so that the head has a strangely 

 dragon-like aspect, which is heightened by 

 the position of the ears, which are set very 

 far back, and by the long sharp rows of teeth 

 which arm each jaw. The long bushy tail of 

 the Tupaia gives it a kind of resemblance to 

 the squirrel, a resemblance which is appre- 

 ciated by the native Sumatrans, who call the 

 squirrels and the Tupaias by the same name. 

 The feet are plantigrade, and terminated by 

 five toes on each foot, armed with small, but 

 sharp nails, which assist the animal in climb- 

 ing, and are sufficiently elevated to be spared 

 from friction against the ground. In the 

 hinder feet the fourth toe is the longest. 

 The hair is of a silky texture, and tinged 

 with brown and yellow by reason of the alter- 

 nate colored rings with which each hair is 

 marked. On the tail the hair is long and 

 bushy, and hangs equally on each side, after 

 the manner that is learnedly termed "dis- 

 tichous." 



These animals are variously named by 

 different zoological writers, and the genus in 

 which they are placed is by some termed 

 Tupaia, after the native name, by some Hylo- TUPAiA-TANA.-ado*ote> tana. 



gale, and by others Cladobates. The last 



mentioned term seems to be in greatest favor, and is a very appropriate one, signifying 

 ' ' branch-traverser." 



THE extraordinary animal which has been recently brought before the notice of zoologists, 

 under the characteristic name of PEN-TAIL, is a native of Borneo, from which country it was 

 brought by Mr. Hugh Low. 



It is about the size of a small rat, but appears to be of greater dimensions on account of 

 its extremely long tail with the remarkable appendage at its extremity. The tail is of extra- 

 ordinary length when compared with the size of the body, and is devoid of hair except at its 

 extremity, where it is furnished with a double row of stiff hairs on each side, which stand 

 boldly out, like the barbs of a quill pen, or the feathers of an arrow. The remainder of the 

 tail is covered with scales, which are square in their form, like those of the long-tailed rats, 

 and of considerable size. The color of the tail is black, and the bristly barbs are white, so 

 that this member presents a peculiarly quaint aspect. 



The fur which covers the body of tlie Pen-tail is extremely soft in texture, and is of a 

 blackish-brown tint above, fading into a yellowish-gray beneath. As the tips of the hairs are 

 tinged with a yellow hue, the precise tint of the fur is rather indeterminate, and is changeable, 



