120 RODENTIA. 



said to be disappearing. The flesh of both these species tastes 

 like that of a rabbit, but is more juicy ; it is nice broiled, and 

 makes excellent meat pies. 



S. macrourus, (Gr. makros, long, owra, tail.) The Long-tailed 

 Squirrel, of Missouri, is 22 inches long, the tail equaling in 

 length both the body and head. 



S. quadrivittatus, (Lat. four-striped.) The Four-Striped 

 Ground Squirrel is a very beautiful species found in the Rocky 

 Mountains. 



S. striatus, (Lat. streaked. Tamias of Illiger.) The Striped 

 or Ground Squirrelis characterized by its reddish brown color, 

 a black stripe upon the back, and a shorter light colored stripe 

 bordered with black upon the sides ; by having the body shorter 

 and more robust for its size than that of the Red Squirrel, and 

 eight instead of ten molars in the upper jaw. It. is also known 

 under the names Chipping Squirrel, and Chipmuck. Usually it 

 is seen running along fences ; it is particularly fond of stone 

 walls, which afford this animal a ready retreat. Under these it 

 burrows and stores its winter food. Sometimes it makes its home 

 in the center of ti decayed stump. It does not ascend trees ex- 

 cept when its retreat is cut off from its hiding place. The range 

 of this squirrel on this continent is from 33o to 50o N. L. 



II. GROUP. 



Pteromys, (Gr. nTEQov,pteron, wing; fivg,mus, winged -mouse.) 

 FLYING SQUIRREL. This genus comprehends ten or more species 

 found on this continent, in Northern Europe and in Java. Some 

 of them are nocturnal. These squirrels are distinguished by a 

 membrane adhering to the sides, extending from limb to limb, so 

 as to form a parachute, by the agency of which they can throw 

 themselves from tree to tree to a great distance, and sustain a short 

 flight. In the sailing movement, they are aided, and perhaps in 

 part guided by their broadly expanded tail. The species of 

 Northern Europe, (P. volans, Lat. flying,) is about the size of a 

 large rat, and of a gray color. P. volucella, (Lat. dim. vfvolu- 

 cer, flying.) The Small American Flying Squirrel has only a 

 rudimentary membrane. The loose skin stretches foiward by 

 his fore legs, and backward by his hind legs as he springs, so as 

 to buoy him up and enable him to leap a long distance at ont 

 bound. This squirrel is about ten inches long, including the tail ; 

 the fur of a brownish ash, tinged with cream color, very fine, soft 

 and silky. It is found in all the Atlantic States and in Canada 

 West. In Canada East it is replaced by a species, (P. sabrinus,} 



