SQUIRRELS. 



7i 



The Spiny Squirrels. 



Genus Xerus. 



In addition to being; the home of a considerable number of true squirrels, Africa 

 is the sole habitat of a group of squirrels constituting a distinct genus of the family. 

 The typical representatives of these Ethiopian spiny squirrels are characterised by 

 their coarse and spiny hair, the small size or total absence of the external conchs of 

 the ears, and the comparative straightness of the long claws. According to the new 

 classification, certain other Ethiopian species, formerly included among the true 

 squirrels, may however find a place in this genus, which will be best characterised 

 by the skull and molar teeth. As regards the skull, this is distinguished by its 



THE ABYSSINIAN' SPINY SQUIRREL (J nat. size). 



elongate form, which is especially shown in the frontal bones, and the extreme 

 shortness of the (postorbital) processes forming the hinder border of the upper part 

 of the sockets of the eyes. The molar teeth, in place of the low-crowned, basin- 

 shaped form characterising those of the true squirrels, have somewhat taller crowns, 

 with more or less well-marked transverse plates : thus approximating to the corre- 

 sponding teeth of the porcupines, and evidently indicating a specialised type. 

 Distribution and The genus now includes a very large number of species, ranging 



Habits. f rom Abyssinia to the Cape ; its typical representatives differing from 

 the true squirrels in being entirely terrestrial, taking refuge either in clefts and 

 holes among rocks, or in the burrows excavated by themselves. The Abyssinian 

 spiny squirrel (Xerus rutilus), which is the species represented in our illustration, 

 is of a uniform yellowish red colour, with distinct conchs to the ears ; its size being 

 comparable to that of the English squirrel, but rather larger. Mr. Blanford states 

 that these animals may be commonly seen in the neighbourhood of Annesley Bay in 

 rocky places, associating in parties of five or six individuals. The striped Abyssinian 



