RODENTIA. 119 



The greater number of the species belonging to the eastern con- 

 tinent are also destitute of these pencils. One of the most beautiful 

 is the 



Sc. maximus and macrourus , Gm. ;* Buff. Supp. VII. Ixxii. (The 

 Large Squirrel of India). Nearly the size of a cat; above black; 

 the flanks and top of the head of a beautiful bright maronne; the 

 head, and all the under parts of the body, and the inside of the limbs 

 pale yellow ; a maronne-coloured band behind the check. It inhabits 

 the palms, and is extravagantly fond of the milk of the cocoa-nut. 



There are, also, several Squirrels in warm climates, that are re- 

 markable for the longitudinal bands which vary their fur. Such 

 are the 



Sc. getulus, L. ; Buff. X. xxvi. (The Barbaresque). The bands 

 of which extend to the tail, and even on it. 



Sc. palmarum, L. : Buff. X. xxvi. (The Palmist). On which 

 the stripes are confined to the back. 

 It is probable that we shall have to separate from the squirrels certain 

 species which have cheek-pouches, like the Hamsters, and pass their lives 

 in subterraneous holes, the Tamice of Illiger. For instance the 



Se. striatiis, L. ; Buff. X. xxviii, (The Ground Squirrel). TNliich 

 is found throughout all the north of Asia and America, particularly in 

 the pine forests. The tail is more scantily supplied with hairs than 

 that of the European Squirrel; the ears smooth, and skin bro\vn, 

 ■with five black stripes and two white ones. 

 We ought, also, most probably, to distinguish the Guerlingiiets, a spe- 

 cies with a long and almost round tail, and an enormous pendant scrotum. 

 They are found in both continents f. 



The following have been separated already. 



Pteromys, Cuv\. 



Or the Flying Squirrels, to which the skin of the flank, extending be- 

 tween the fore and hind legs, imparts the faculty of supporting themselves 

 for some moments in the air, antl of making very great leaps. There are 

 long bony appendages to their feet, which support a part of this lateral 

 membrane. 



There is a species in Poland, Russia, and Siberia. 



Sc. volans, L. ; Schreb. CCXXIII. (The Flying Squirrel). Ash- 

 coloured, grey above; white underneath ; size of a rat; the tail only 

 half the length of the body. It lives solitarily in the forests. 

 One from North America. 



Sc. vohiccella, L. ; Buff. X. xxi. (The American Flying Squir- 

 rel). Reddish-grey above; white beneath: size less than that of 



* A comparison of the figure of Pennant with that of Sonnerat is sufficient to 

 prove that they represent the same animal. 



f Vie have found, however, in the Tamice and Gnerlinguets, the same kind of teeth 

 as in the Squirrels and Pteromys. 



+ Pteromys, Winged Rat. 



