THE PRESS. 



Sumatrans, who call the squirrels and theTupaias by the same name. The feet are planti- 

 grade, and terminated by five toes, on each foot, armed with small, but sharp nails, which 

 assist the animal in climbing, and are sufficiently elevated to be spared from friction 

 against the ground. In the hinder feet the fourth toe is the longest. The hair is of a 

 silky texture, and tinged with brown and yellow by reason of the alternate colored 

 rings with which each hair is marked. On the tail the hair is long and bushy, and 

 hangs equally on each side, after the manner that is learnedly termed " distichous." 



These animals are variously named by different zoological writers, and the genus 

 in which they are placed is by some termed Tupaia, after the native name, by some 

 Hylogale, and by others Cladobates. The last 

 mentioned term seems to be in greatest fa- 

 vor, and is a very appropriate one, signifying 

 " branch-traverser." 



ANOTHER example of this curious genus is 

 the PRESS, or FERRUGINEOUS TUPAIA. This 

 pretty creature is so exceedingly like a squirrel, 

 as it runs about the branches of the trees, that 

 it can hardly be distinguished from that animal 

 except by the elongated outline of its head, as 

 it is defined sharply against the sky. It is a 

 small animal, measuring only some thirteen or 

 fourteen inches in total length, of which the tail 

 occupies rather more than five inches. The 

 length of the head is two inches, and the height 

 of the animat as it stands, is rather more than 

 three inches. 



The coloring of its fur is very elegant. The 

 prevailing tint is a brownish-maroon, which 

 in some parts, such as along the spine, is deep- 

 ened into a rich brownish-black, and in others, 

 such as on the ribs and flanks, is warmed into 

 a reddish tint. On account of this peculiar hue, 

 which resembles the red rust of iron, the epithet 

 of " ferruginea ' has been applied to the 

 animal. This change of color is caused by the 

 mode in which the hairs are marked in alternate 

 rings of black and maroon. Those which run 

 along the back are black, with a fawn-colored 

 ring in the middle, but those which grow 

 upon the ribs are fawn, with a black ring in the 

 middle. The ears are black. Upon the under 

 surface of the body the fur is of a whitish 

 yellow, which on the abdomen and the internal 

 face of the limbs fades into gray. The long 

 and busy hairs which decorate the tail are so 

 dotted with white that their aggregation upon 

 the tail gives to that member a grayish-brown 

 effect. 



Although the teeth of all the Tupaias are evidently of an insectivorous description, 

 the Press, as well as its congeners, is said to feed chiefly on coleopterous insects, but 

 to vary its diet with certain fruits. It is said that the Press partakes so far of the 

 carnivorous propensities of the mole, that it will sometimes pounce upon small birds 

 as they are hopping among the branches, and make a meal upon their bodies. One 

 of these animals that was tamed, and accustomed to roam about the house at will, was 

 very ftnd of milk and fruits, and used to attend at every meal for the purpose of 

 obtaining these coveted luxuries. 



PRESS. Tupaia Ferruginea. 



