190 NATURAL HISTORY ESSAYS 



tion had been in poor condition ever since purchased ; 

 feeding on a diet largely composed of fruit effected 

 considerable improvement. Six weeks before death, 

 weakness (paresis) of the left foreleg was observed, 

 thouQrh it still continued to climb about and take food 

 as usual. The weakness increased, though apparently 

 without pain, the squirrel being still able to climb 

 thirty-six hours before its death, which took place on 

 June 2ncl, 1904. Post mortem examination revealed 

 hemiatrophy of the brain, the right cerebral hemis- 

 phere being much wasted and about one-third 

 narrower than its fellow. No convulsions were 

 observed during the progress of the malady. This 

 case seems to differ from ordinary "cage paralysis," 

 being apparently due to a porencephalic state of the 

 brain; cage paralysis, on the other hand, is due to 

 a softening of the bones, mainly attacks the hinder 

 extremities, and occurs chiefly in monkeys, lemurs, 

 and carnivora. 



It is not, however, as a pathological dissection 

 subject, or even as a museum specimen, that this 

 lovely squirrel should be studied. Its engaging 

 manners and lively disposition cannot be demon- 

 strated by a stuffed skin, nor by an anatomical 

 preparation immersed in a jar of spirits. This animal 

 almost more than any other treated of in this book, 

 requires to be seen alive to appreciate its full charm. 

 Equally with the great sable antelope and the hand- 

 some clouded tiger does the Prevost squirrel voice 

 the romance of natural history; it is hereby cordially 

 recommended to all lovers of strange pets. 



