THE SQUIRREL. 309 



Description, &c. 



CHAP. VII. 



" Her chariot is an empty hazel nut 

 Made by the joiner squirrel, or old grub, 

 Time out of mind the fairies' coach-makers.'* 



SHAKSPEARE. 



THE SQUIRREL. 



THIS little animal is equally admired for the 

 elegance of its figure, the activity of its motions, 

 and the liveliness of its disposition. Though na- 

 turally wild, it is easily domesticated, and, not- 

 withstanding its timidity, it soon becomes per- 

 fectly familiar. 



The head, body, legs, and tail of the squirrel 

 are of a bright brown colour, inclining *o red ; 

 but the breast and belly are white. The ears are 

 ornamented with long tufts of hair ; the eyes are 

 full, black, and sparkling ; and the tail is so long 

 and umbrageous, that it not only assists the ani- 

 mal in leaping from tree to tree, amidst its native 

 woods, but also by covering the whole body, 

 serves as an excellent defence from the cold. 

 Linnaeus asserts, that in crossing a river, the 



