LONG-EARED SQUIRREL.—Sceiiirus Macrotis, 
width in the centre. The inside of the limbs is a pale chestnut, and the paws are 
jetty black. The tail is remarkably bushy, reminding the spectator of a fox’s * brush,” 
and is generally of the same colour as the back, but grisled with yellowish-white hairs, 
which are thickly sown among those of the darker hue. 
In length it is about two feet, of which the tail occupies one moiety. The word 
Macrotis is of Greek origin, and signifies Long-eared. 
The BLaAck SQUIRREL has most appropriately been named, for the whole of its fur, 
with very slight and variable exceptions, is dyed with the deepest jet. 
Even the abdomen and under parts of the body, which in almost all quadrupeds are 
of a lighter hue than the back, are in the Black Squirrel of the same sable tinge, with the 
exception of a few small tufts of white hairs which are scattered at wide and irregular 
intervals. A few single white hairs are also sown sparingly upon the back, but are so few 
in number as to escape a mere casual glance. The tail is also slightly flecked with these 
white hairs. The total leneth of this animal is about two feet ten inches, the tail being 
about thirteen inches in length, measured to extremity of the fur. When the creature 
spreads its tail to its full width, it measures nearly five inches in diameter in the largest 
part. 
The Black Squirrel is a native of many parts of Northern America, and is tolerably 
common in some localities, though very scarce in others. It is a curious fact, that it 
vanishes before the advent of the common northern Grey Squirrel, and in many instances 
has been driven from some of its private haunts and supplanted by the more powerful 
intruder. It seems to be rather a timid animal, as it has been observed to fly in terror 
when threatened with the anger of the Red Squirrel (Scv%irus Hudsdnius). Despite its 
cowardice, it is rather a fierce creature when captured, biting savagely at its opponent, 
and is not very easily tamed. One of these animals which was partially domesticated, 
was always noted for its evil temper, and justified the opinion that had been formed of its 
disposition by biting a piece from a servant's hand as cleanly as if it had been cut with a 
chisel. The injury was of so severe a nature that the man was obliged to go into 
a hospital for some weeks. 
