SQUIRREL-LIKE RODENTS 211 



Owing to the number of species of marked similarity 

 in structure, zoologists have not always agreed concerning 

 the classification of the Rodents, but it is generally accept- 

 able to divide them into two Sub-orders : 



I. Simple-toothed Rodents (Simplicidentata), or those 

 species which never possess more than two incisors in the 

 upper jaw. 



This Sub-order is again divided into three sections : 



1. Squirrel-like Rodents (Sciuromorpha). 



2. Mouse-like Rodents (Myomorpha). 



3. Porcupine-like Rodents (Hystricomorpha). 



II. Double - toothed Rodents (Dupliddentata). This 

 Sub-order contains only two families, of which that of 

 the Hares and Rabbits contains four times as many species 

 as the family of the Pikas. 



Sub-Order I. SIMPLE-TOOTHED RODENTS 



SQUIRREL-LIKE RODENTS. 



FAMILY SCIURID^E (SQUIRRELS). 



BED SQUIRREL (Sciurus vulgaris). 



Coloured Plate XIV. Fig. 4. 



The Squirrel, light, nimble, and graceful, is practically 

 distributed throughout all the world except Australia, 

 and is particularly abundant in North America. With 

 comparatively few excep- 

 tions the animal is a tree- 

 dweller, for which its 

 fore feet, with finger-like 

 toes and sharp nails, 

 specially fit it. 



The Common or Red 



Squirrel of the British CLAWS OF THE SQUIRREL. 



Isles is a pretty little 



animal of about fifteen inches in length from the tip of 

 its nose to the end of its tail. It is clad in a coat of 



