THE PRESS. 431 
Sumatrans, who call the squirrels and the Tupaias by the same name. The feet are planti- 
grade, and terminated by five toes on each foot, armed with small, but sharp nails, which 
assist the animal in climbing, 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 alternate coloured 
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 “ distichous.” 
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 
Hylogale, and by others Cladobates. The last 
mentioned term seems to be in greatest favour, 
and is a very appropriate one, signifying “ branch- 
traverser.” 
ANOTHER example of this curious genus is the 
Press, or FERRuGINEoUS TupatA. This pretty 
creature is so exceedingly like a squirrel, as it runs 
about the branches of the trees, that it can hardly 
be distinguished from that animal except by the 
elongated outline of its head, as it is defined 
sharply against the sky. It is a small animal, 
meastuing only some thirteen or fourteen inches 
in total length, of which the tail occupies rather 
more than five inches. The length of the head 
is two inches, and the height of the animal, as 
it stands, is rather more than three inches. 
The colouring of its fur is very elegant. The 
prevailing tint is a brownish-maroon, which in 
some parts, such as along the spine, is deepened 
into arich brownish-black, and in others, such as on 
the ribs and flanks, is warmed into a reddish tint. 
On account of this peculiar hue, which resembles 
the red rust of iron, the epithet of “ ferruginea ” 
has been applied to the animal. This change of 
colour is caused by the mode in which the hairs 
are marked in alternate rings of black and maroon. 
Those which run along the back are black, with a 
fawn-coloured ring in the middle, but those which 
grow upon the ribs are fawn, with a black ring in 
the middle. The ears are black. Upon the under 
surface of the body the fur is of a whitish-yellow, 
which on the abdomen and the internal face of 
the limbs fades into grey. The long and bushy 
hairs which decorate the tail are so dotted with 
white that their aggregation upon the tail gives 
to that member a greyish-brown effect. 
Although the teeth of all the Tupaias are 
evidently of an insectivorous description, the 
Press, as well as its congeners, is said to feed 
chiefly on coleopterous insects, but to vary its 
diet with certain fruits. It is said that the Press partakes so far of the carni- 
vorous propensities of the mole, that it will sometimes pounce upon small birds as 
they are hopping among the branches, and make a meal upon their bodies. One of these 
animals that was tamed, and accustomed to roam about the house at will, was very fond 
of milk and fruits, and used to attend at every meal for the purpose of obtaining these 
coveted luxuries. 
PRESS.—Tupaia Ferrugined. 
