FLYING SQUIRREL. 601 



proper to Southern Asia; the second comprehends the species common 

 to Asia and Eastern Europe, others which are exclusively Asiatic, and 

 others which are only met with in North America. 



These Sciuridae have no wings and no capacity of flight ; but their 

 anterior and posterior limbs are connected on either side by a 

 membrane, which is really nothing but a fold of skin, and which they 

 extend by spreading out their paws so as to present to the air a con- 

 siderable surface. By means of this kind of parachute, they can cross, 

 by leaping from one tree to another, an extensive area. My space 

 only permits me to allude to the Virginian Flying Squirrel (Pteromys 

 volucella), and the Common Flying Squirrel (Pteromys volans). The 

 former is about five inches long, with a tail four inches ; of a subfer- 

 ruginous brown colour above, and a yellowish- white beneath ; the 

 edges of the flying membrane are of a deeper tint than the rest of the 

 fur, contrasting with the white border of the under part. He is 

 naturally of a gregarious disposition, and ten or twelve may be seen 

 in company, flying from tree to tree. In case of need he can swim 

 like other quadrupeds, and yet, on quitting the water, can resume his 

 aerial motion. He feeds on fruits, nuts, and young leaves and twigs; 

 is of an affectionate nature, and easily domesticated. 



The Common Flying Squirrel (Pteromys volans) belongs to the 

 northernmost regions, and his favourite haunt is the pine and birch 

 woods of Siberia, On the upper parts his colour is a pale gray, on 

 the under a milky white. Measured from the nose to the tail, his 

 length is six inches ; and the tail, which is thickly furred and slightly 

 flattened, is somewhat shorter than the body. He flies, or rather 

 springs, through the agency of an expansile furry membrane, reach- 

 ing, as I have stated, from the fore-feet to the hind. He builds his 

 nest of the finest mosses in the hollows of the old forest trees ; is a 

 solitary animal emerging from his retreat only at the approach of the 

 gloaming; feeds on young buds and catkins; and springs from one 

 tree to another with astonishing velocity. 



The Pteromys splendens belongs to Java and Borneo : his body 

 is clothed in fur of a warm red hue. The Sciuroptera Polatouche, 



