352 



ANIMALS OF 



squirrel, which Mr. BufFon calls the petit 

 gris, is larger than a rabbit, and of a grayish 

 colour. Its body and limbs are thicker than 

 those of the common squirrel ; and its ears 

 are shorter, and without tufts at the point. 

 The upper part of the body, and external 

 part of the legs, are of a fine whitish gray, 

 with abeautiful red streak oneach side length- 

 ways. The tail is covered with very long 

 gray hair, variegated with black and white 

 towards the extremity. This variety seems 

 to be common to both continents; and in Swe- 

 den is seen to change colour in winter. The 

 Barbary squirrel, of which Mr. BufFon makes 

 three varieties, is of a mixed colour, between 

 red and black. Along the sides there are 

 white and brown lines, which render this ani- 

 mal very beautiful; but what still adds to its 

 elegance is, that the belly is of a sky blue, 

 surrounded with white. Some of these hold 

 up the tail erect ; and others throw it forward 

 over their body. The Siberian white squirrel 

 is of the size of a common squirrel. The 

 Carolina black squirrel is much bigger than the 

 former, and sometimes tipped with white at 

 all the extremities. The Brasilian squirrel, 

 which Mr. Buffbn calls the coquallin, is a beau- 

 tiful animal of this kind, and very remarkable 

 for the variety of its colours. Its belty is of 

 a bright yellow ; its head and body variegated 

 with white, black, brown, and orange colour. 

 It wants the tufts at the extremity of its ears ; 

 and does not climb trees, as most of the kind 

 are seen to do. To this list may be added 

 the little ground squirrel of Carolina, of a red- 

 dish colour, and blackish stripes on each side; 

 and like the former, not delighting in trees. 

 Lastly, the squirrel of New Spain, which is of 

 a deep iron-gray colour, with seven longitu- 

 dinal whitish streaks along the sides of the 

 male, and five along those of the female. As 

 for the flying squirrels, they are of a distinct 

 kind, and shall be treated of by themselves. 

 These, which I suppose to be but a few of the 

 numerous varieties of the squirrel, sufficiently 

 serve to show how extensively this animal is 

 diffused over all parts of the world. It is not 

 to be supposed, however, that every variety 

 is capable of sustaining every climate; for 

 few animals are so tender, or so little able to 

 endure a change of abode, as this. Those 

 bred in the tropical climates, will only live 



near a warm sun; while, on the contrary, 

 the squirrel of Siberia will scarce'endure the 

 temperature of ours. These varieties do not 

 only differ in their constitutions and colour, 

 but in their dispositions also; for while some 

 live on the tops of trees, others feed, like rab- 

 bits, on vegetables below. Whether any of 

 these, so variously coloured, and so different- 

 ly disposed, would breed among each other, 

 we cannot tell : and since, therefore, we are 

 left in uncertainty upon this point, we are 

 at liberty either to consider each as distinct 

 species by itself; or only a variety, that ac- 

 cident might have originally produced, and 

 that the climate or soil might have continued. 

 For my own part, as the original character 

 of the squirrel is so strongly marked upon 

 them all, I cannot help considering them in 

 the latter point of view ; rather as the com- 

 mon descendants of one parent, than original- 

 ly formed with such distinct similitudes. 



The squirrel is a beautiful little animal,' 

 which is but half savage ; and which, from 

 the gentleness and innocence of its manners, 

 deserves our protection. It is neither car- 

 nivorous nor hurtful : its usual food is fruits, 

 nuts, and acorns ; it is cleanly, nimble, active, 

 and industrious; its eyes are sparkling, and 

 its physiognomy marked with meaning. It 

 generally, like the hare and rabbit, sits up on 

 its hinder legs; and uses the fore paws as 

 hands ; these have five .claws or toes, as they 

 are called, and one of them is separated from 

 the rest like a thumb. This animal seems 

 to approach the nature of birds, from its light- 

 ness, and surprising agility on the tops of trees. 

 It seldom descends to the ground, except in 

 case of storm, but jumps from one branch to 

 another ; feeds, in spring, on the buds and 

 young shoots ; in summer, on the ripening 

 fruits ; and particularly the young cones of 

 the pine-tree. In autumn it has an extensive 

 variety to feast upon ; the acorn, the filbert, 

 I the chesnut, and the wilding. This season of 

 plenty, however, is not spent in idle enjoy- 

 ment; the provident little animal gathers at 

 that time its provisions for the winter; and 

 cautiously foresees the season when the forest 

 shall be stripped of its leaves and fruitage. 

 Its nest is generally formed among the large 



a Button. 



