54 THE BOOK OF NATURE STUDY 



the purpose of mentioning a very extraordinary way of parachuting 

 practised by several different species of mammals, not at all related 

 to one another ! 



The so-called " flight " is performed by leaping into the air 

 from a height and gradually drifting downwards, the body being 

 supported by a broad fold of skin running down each side of the 

 body between the fore- and hind-limbs, which are at this time 

 fully extended so as to stretch the membrane to its widest extent. 



The " flying lemms " of Madagascar, creatures related to the 

 burrowing mole and the prickly hedgehog, are the most expert 

 performers at this spurious flight, covering 70 yards at a leap. 

 The flying squirrels of Africa, India, North America, and Eastern 

 Europe are, however, capable of leaping as much as 30 yards. 

 Besides these, two widely different kinds of parachuting animals, 

 there is yet a third group, belonging to the great order of Marsupials 

 or pouched animals, to which the kangaroo belongs. These are 

 the " flying phalangers " ; all small creatures, but of great beauty. 

 One need scarcely say, these curiously modified creatures can 

 only live where there are great forests. All are vegetable feeders, 

 but the phalangers appear to be the most dainty of all in the 

 selection of their diet, since they feed only on flowers, honey, and 

 insects. 



