114 THE REASON WHY: 



" Coridon unto her brought, 

 Or little sparrowes stolen from their nest, 

 Or wanton squirrels in the woods farre sought." SPENSER. 



352. Why are squirrels grouped as the genus sciurus ? 



The scientific name sciurus is derived from skia, a shade, and 

 oura, a tail, and refers to the tail, of some of the species covering 

 the head, as with a shade. The common name squirrel is merely a 

 corruption of sciurus. 



. 353. Why are the hind legs of squirrels only a little shorter 

 than the front ones ? 



Because, although leaping animals, like the kanguroo, their style 

 of running along the branches of trees requires that they should 

 have nearly equal command and use of all their legs. In this may 

 be seen the difference between them and the hares and jerboas 

 on the one hand, and the tree apes, which have not the tails 

 prehensile, on the other. The leaping animal has the hind legs 

 long, and the muscular action of the body very much concentrated 

 upon them. The climbing animal has the fore-legs long, and the 

 concentration upon them. The squirrel holds an intermediate 

 place ; and this is the reason why we consider its motions on the 

 ground more graceful than the leaping of the jerboa, and its motion 

 in the tree more so than the climbing of the ape. Their motions 

 arc quite a study in animal mechanics ; and, on account of the 

 lightness, the gentleness, and the cleanliness of the animals, they 

 are very pleasing objects. 



354. Why are the eyes of squirrels very fully developed ? 



Because they have to find their food, and also their footing the 

 latter very quickly in the shade of thick leaves. 



355. Wliy are the tails of squirrels so large and bushy ? 



The tails of these creatures are exceedingly well adapted, and 

 indeed necessary, to their mode of life ; they serve to balance the 

 body while springing, and, acting as a kind of parachute, prevent 

 those jerks and falls which the animal would otherwise be likely 

 to receive. 



