246 PLANTAIN SQUIRREL. 



.specimen of that very rare and remarkable Crustacean, 

 the Tlos muriger, of White, was dredged at a depth of 

 ten fathoms, associated with specimens of other crabs, 

 chiefly of the genera Leucosia and Pkilyra. It is as 

 inert and feeble in its progressive movements as Calappa 

 or Cryptopodia. 



While lying in Welcome Bay, in Java, I obtained from 

 one of the Javanese, who thronged about us in their 

 canoes, a very pretty specimen of Squirrel, and as I had 

 it some time in my possession, for the purpose of ob- 

 serving its habits, a brief account of this little quadruped 

 may not prove uninteresting. 



The Sciurus bilineatm, or Plantain Squirrel, is con- 

 stantly kept by the Javanese as a pet. One I had in rny 

 possession was an amusing little animal, full of frolic, and 

 playful as a kitten. He never carried his tail over his 

 back, like the greater number of his consimilars, but would 

 trail it gracefully along the ground. When angry, he 

 would dilate this ornamental appendage, and bristle up 

 the hairs, like an irritated cat. His natural cry was a 

 weak chirping sound, but when teased beyond his powers 

 of endurance, he would make a sharp, low, and passionate 

 noise. He seemed to court caresses, and received them 

 with pleasure. His food consisted of Bananas and 

 Cocoa-nuts, which he would usually nibble like a rat, 

 though sometimes he would place it between his paws. 

 He was a remarkably cleanly little creature, continually 

 dressing his fur in the manner of the FclintE. When he 

 slept, he rolled himself up in a ball like the Dormouse, 

 with his tail encircling his body. Always active and 

 blithe, he would sometimes perform feats of extraordinary 



