304 ORDER X. 



Although, they have been neatly divided into 

 genera with and without clavicles, and that the pos- 

 session of these bones appears to furnish a greater 

 degree of energy, we nevertheless arrange the Ro- 

 deniia^ according to Mr. "Waterhouse's tabular view, 

 into three great tribes, whereof the first embraces 

 the 



MURINA, all of which possess clavicles. 



1st, The SCIURID^E, or Squirrels, constitute a 

 family of several genera, whereof the Squirrels, pro- 

 perly so called, form the 



Genus SCIURUS, already described specifically in 

 Volume XV., sufficient for the generalities, which 

 are nearly the same in all the species. Their petu- 

 lant energy is not without discrimination, and edu- 

 catable instinct. We have owned a species from 

 South America, which ran at liberty about the house, 

 and, in cases of alarm, would instantly spring on its 

 master's shoulder, and conceal itself in his sleeve. 

 "We figure, as a specimen of this form, 



and slender fingers, armed with sharp claws, and the hinder 

 have short thumbs with round nails. The Aye-aye of Mada- 

 gascar, Charomys Madagascar iensis, is the only species known. 



