SCIUPiID.E. 165 



all included in the Murid.e ; and tlie Caviadce, Octodontldce, and Ilydro- 

 chceridce, belonging to the Hystricid.e. 



The two first families possess clavicles, and have the projecting augle 

 of the lower jaw subquadi'ate. 



Fam. SciUKiD.E, Squirrels. 



^ ... 5—5 4—4 



Quasi-incisors smooth, compressed ; molars usually j — 7 or , , ; 



enamelled continuously, or complex, and furnished "with roots. Feet 

 either all pentadactylous, or the fore-feet with four toes and a thumb- 

 wart or tubercle. Tail typically long, bushy ; clavicles perfect. 



The Squirrels form a well-marked gi'oup of elegant animals, m.ostly 

 "with arboreal habits, and widely distributed both in the old and new 

 ■world. One group only is quite terrestrial, — the Marmots. The addi- 

 tional molar of the upper jaw is early deciduous. The most striking 

 feature of the skull of the Squirrels is the distinct post-orbital process ; 

 and the palate is larger than in other rodents. The molars ai'e variously 

 tubercled, some "with blunt, others with sharp points. Of five well- 

 marked generic groups, three occur within, our province ; one however 

 only as an outlier from the central Asian plateau. 



Gen. SciUKUS, Linn. 



2—2 3—3 . , . 



Char. — Prsemolars :j r; molars k — oj quasi-incisors smooth m 



front, brown or orange-coloured, the lower ones compressed, acute ; 

 fore-feet with only four toes, and a tubercle on the site of the thumb ; 

 claws compressed, incurved ; tail very long, bushy, the hairs directed 

 more or less laterally. 



Squirrels have a large head and prominent eyes, a large body and 

 moderately long limbs. They are mostly quite arboreal in their habits, 

 exceedingly active and lively, feeding on buds, fruit, nuts, and other 

 vegetable substances ; and building a large rude nest of leaves, gi-ass, &c. 

 They hold up their food to theii' mouth between the two thumb- 

 tubercles. They are found over both continents, most rare in the 

 Neotropical region. 



There are three well-marked groups in India, distinguished by size, 

 coloration, and habits. 



1st group. Large Squirrels. 



These are squirrels of very large size, rich coloi*ation, and more or less 



