On the Introduction of the Squirrel into Ireland. 617 
Great uncertainty and confusion seems to exist as to the 
Trish names of some animals, and especially animals allied in their 
habits or general outward appearance. The squirrel might readily 
be confounded with the marten or the “weasel” (more correctly 
the stoat, for there are no weasels in Ireland). Those who search 
for evidence of the existence of the squirrel in Ireland in former 
times in Irish MSS. will find little real satisfaction. In a MS. 
sent to me by Mr. Harvie Brown, who is investigating the 
history of the animal in Scotland, Mr. James M‘Pherson, a 
Gaelic authority, is quoted. He enters with some minuteness into 
the origin and meaning of the word “chrichurans,” and into the 
Gaelic and Irish names for squirrel. In Scotland as well as in 
Ireland, Mr. Harvie Brown’s words hold good, “much confusion 
exists about the correct application of the names of animals of 
the weasel, ferret, and squirrel families.” Even after careful study 
nothing but a conclusion full of doubt is arrived at. When 
squirrels first appeared near Bray in 1861, some of the humbler 
classes took them for “ weasels” (stoats). When they were seen 
for the first time at the foot of Sleve Gullion, co. Armagh, Lord 
Clermont writes to me that they were taken by some to be young 
foxes, and much surprise was felt when they were seen to climb 
trees. Mr. H. C. Hart has recently heard of an old gentleman 
in Donegal who said squirrels were numerous there long ago, but 
his evidence was open to doubt when he added that they lived 
“entirely upon fish.” 
Some of these rather absurd instances are given to show how 
little notion some persons have of the different species of animals, 
and how readily old writers, with no pretence to be naturalists, 
may err, and vague traditions originate. The supposed traditions 
appear to have all arisen since the squirrel was really introduced. 
K’eogh’s “ Zoologia” is far behind the state of biological knowledge 
even at his time. The list he gives being very defective, and his 
book is full of old women’s cures and ridiculous virtues, supposed to 
belong to the different parts and products of animals. O’Flaherty’s 
informant very probably never saw a squirrel, his idea of theanimal 
was most likely derived from description, and as O’Flaherty had 
no pretence to be called a naturalist, it was easy for him to fall 
into error. Rutty, as I have mentioned, tells us that the squirrel 
was said to be found in the wood at Luttrelstewn, but Rutty 
Soren. Proc, R.D.S. Vout. 1, Pr. vit. 2T 2 
