1204 



MR. R. I. POCOCK 0?r THE EXTERNAL CHARACTERS 



liaiiy, like the rest of the sole, and the claws are almost concealed. 

 It is probable that the difference between these two closely- related 

 forms in the matter of the hairiness of the soles of the feet is a 

 seasonal difference comparable to that of Sciurus indgaris and of 

 S. (Tamiasciurics) kudsonicus. (Text-fig. 5G.) 



Judging from Miller's description, the feet of *S', russicus, the 

 type of the genus Sciuropterus, closely resemble those of the 

 North American species. It might have been taken indeed 

 from the specimen referi-ed to above as S. {G.) strammeios, the 

 soles of the fore foot being thinly haired between the pads, 

 whereas those of the hind foot are covered with a " dense growth 



Text-figure 57, 



^ / 



Claw of Funisoku'us leucostigma ; B. Funisciurus cepapi; C, Hatufa 

 ifidica; D. Eutamias qtcadrivittatus; ^. Sciurus lindernicus ; F. Sciurus 

 vulgaris; Cx. Fetaurista alhiv enter ; H. Gitellus heeclieyi ; I. IKerus 

 rutilus. 



of long woolly hairs especially conspicuous along the inner * side, 

 and adding much to apparent width of foot." Miller had only 

 three specimens of this species for examination, and in the 

 absence of information as to the dates of their capture, it is not 

 possible to guess whether there is a seasonal change in the 

 hairiness of the soles of the feet or not. 



To draw attention to the facts here recorded in the hope that 

 they may be amplified and, if necessary, corrected by other 



* For "inner" here read "outer," tlie error below referred to under Castor of con- 

 fusion between the inner and outer sides of the feet being repeated. The inner side 

 of the foot as generally understood is the side on which the hallux, or first digit, 

 rises, whereas the fringe of hairs on the hind foot of the Petauristidae is always on 

 the side of the fifth digit, i. e., the outer. 



