128 African Zoohyij. 



extends from each shoulder to within ahoiit an inch and a half 

 of the tail, about half an inch above where the subferrnginoiis 

 colour terminates on the sides. Upper surface of tail near its 

 root with short hair of the same colour as the body, elsewhere 

 the hairs arc long and directed towards the sides, or distichous, 

 white at their bases, black in the middle, and white at the tips: 

 thus the centre portion of the upper and u.ider surfaces appear 

 black and the edges while Rudimentary thumb of anterior 

 extremities with a flat nail ; the toes with long, strong, slightly 

 curved, dark horn-coloured nails. Hairs of the head and body 

 short, rigid, and of a bristly character. Length from nose to 

 base of tail eleven inches ; tail the same length 



Inhabits South Africa. — Senegal. ? Central Africa, Denham. 



Sciurus Erythopus, Geoff. Coll. du Mits. Sciurus Albovit- 

 tatus, Desm. Nouv. Diet, and Hist. Nat. x. 110. Agiump of 

 the Hottentots. 



Obs. When we are better acquainted witli Ihis species v.e will doubt- 

 less find that it will re luire to be separated from the true Squirrels. In 

 my notes it stands as tlie type of a i^eiius designated Gntxciurus, yet I 

 do not feel myself at present warranted in jmblishini; it under that name. 

 I have never had an opportunity of observing it in its natural haunts, 

 but I have been informed by persons who have, that a great number of 

 individuals live together, and thiit where such families occur, numerous 

 holes exist in the ground, and in these they reside, unless when in search 

 of food, or enjoying the warmth of the sun. And when occupied in 

 either of these ways they retreat with the utmost rapidity into their sub- 

 terranean habitations upon the sliglitest alarm, and do not venture out 

 again until the object of their fears is no longer to be discovered. Tliey 

 feed principally upon roots, which tliey dig out of the earth by means of 

 the long and strong nails with which their toes are armed. 



Sciurus Poensis. (Fernando Po Squirrel.) Surface colour 

 of the upper and lateral parts of the head, neck, and body, 

 and of the outer sides of the extremities, a yellow green freely 

 pencilled with black, particularly on the back ; upper and lower 

 lips, chin, throat, breast, belly, and inner sides of extremities, 

 yellow. Tail nearly cylindrical ; hairs at the point \ong-, else- 

 where considerably shorter, each annulated alternately black 

 and greenish yellow ; all the tips black. Ears rounded, and 

 both surfaces thinly covered with a fine short greenish yellow 

 fur ; whiskers black ; front teeth a pale orange colour. The 

 yellowish green of the upper parts is produced by all the hairs 

 being marked by a ring of that colour near the point ; the lat- 

 ter, together with the bases of the hairs are black. When scea 

 at a distance the whole of the upper parts appear olive green, 

 and the lower dull yellow. Length from nose to base of tail six 

 inches; length of tail eight inches. 



Inhabits Fercaudo Po. 



{To 1t( fortthued.y 



