HAKE KIND. 151 



backward, this skin is spread out between them, 

 somewhat like that between the legs of a bat. 

 The surface of the body being thus increased, 

 the little animal keeps buoyant in the air until 

 the force of its first impulsion is expired, and 

 then it descends. This skin, when the creature 

 is at rest, or walking, continues wrinkled up on 

 its sides ; but when its limbs are extended, it 

 forms a kind of web between them of above an 

 inch broad on either side, and gives the whole 

 body the appearance of a skin floating in the air. 

 In this manner, the flying squirrel changes place, 

 not like a bird, by repeated strokes of its wings, 

 but rather like a paper kite, supported by the ex- 

 pansion of the surface of its body ; but with this 

 difference, however, that being naturally heavier 

 than the air, instead of mounting it descends ; 

 and that jump, which upon the ground would 

 not be above forty yards, when from a higher 

 tree to a lower, may be above a hundred. 



This little animal is more common in America 

 than in Europe, but not very commonly to be 

 seen in either. It is usually found, like the squir- 

 rel, on the tops of trees ; but, though better fit- 

 ted for leaping, it is of a more torpid disposition, 

 and is seldom seen to exert its powers ; so that 

 it is often seized by the polecat and the martin. 

 It is easily tamed, but apt to break away when- 

 ever it finds an opportunity. It does not seem 

 fond of nuts or almonds, like other squirrels, but 

 is chiefly pleased with the sprouts of the birch, 

 and the cones of the pine. It is fed in its tame 

 state with bread and fruits ; it generally sleeps by 



