The Squirrel Tribe. 15 



habiting Borneo, and which is popularly known as 

 the Long-eared Squirrel (Sdiin/s macrotis). It is thus 

 named on account of the singularly long fringe of hair 

 with which the ears are decorated, which is of a dark 

 brown colour, and pretty well two inches in length. 

 The tail also is remarkably bushy. 



Besides all these, there are some animals, none of 

 them inhabiting this country, however, which are 

 generally known as 'flying' squirrels on account of 

 a singular modification of structure. This is found in 

 the skin of the flanks, which is developed to a large 

 extent, almost hiding the paws in its folds when the 

 creature is at rest. When in motion, however, and 

 particularly during the tremendous leaps which these 

 animals make from branch to branch, the legs are 

 stretched out as far as possible, the loose skin acts 

 as a parachute, and the squirrel is enabled to pass 

 through a much greater distance than would otherwise 

 have been possible. 



The petaurists of Australia possess a similar de- 

 velopment of the skin, and use it for a similar purpose. 



One of the best known of the flying squirrels is the 

 Taguan (Pteromys petaurista) of India, which is of a 

 brownish colour, varying from deep chestnut along 

 the back to a greyish white on the under surface of 

 the body. The tail is long and bushy, and very much 

 darker in colour. The whole length of the animal is 

 nearly three feet. 



Leaving the true squirrels, we come to a very 

 closely allied group of rodents, the members of which, 

 however, construct their habitations beneath the earth 

 instead of among the branches of trees, and but rarely 

 leave the ground. These are called ground squirrels, 

 and are furnished with cheek-pouches, which the true 

 squirrels do not possess. The object of these we 

 shall presently see. 



