1S6 



CLASS MAMMALIA. 



differs considerably from the Palm Squirrel of Pennant, 

 that is, in external markings. The peculiarity of the tail, 

 however, seems probably to limit these differences to those 

 of variety, and not of specific distinction. Judging from 

 three drawings in our possession, all of which exhibit lon- 

 gitudinal stripes, though varying in number on the under 

 side of a fan-like tail, we should incline strongly to the opi- 

 nion, that this species, like those already noticed from Dr. 

 Horsfield, and in conformity with the general observations 

 on this genus, varies greatly in non-essential characters. 



We have engraved one of these from a specimen in Mr. 

 Bullock's late museum, which is pretty uniformly of a slight 

 ochrey tint, lighter underneath and round the eyes. The 

 prominence of forehead, largeness of the ears, neither acu- 

 minated nor pencilled, and the fan-like construction of the 

 tail is observable in this specimen; but the dorsal stripe, and 

 one on each side of it, is broad, and of a very dark-brown 

 colour, sprinkled with single hairs of a lighter tint, and cor- 

 responding with the colour of the stripes on the lower, or 

 reverse side of the tail. The hairs diverge from the central 

 line of the tail, as if parted; this central line, for a short 

 way up, is dark, but soon becomes lost in the general 

 ground-colour, which surrounds it; beyond this on each 

 side, are three dark stripes, which meet at the top, and 

 the edge is fringed with hairs of the general ground- 

 colour. 



We have never been able to ascertain the fate of much 

 the greater part of the novelties and curiosities in zoology 

 that disappeared on Mr. Bullock's sale, except some that 

 were bought by M. Temminck. It is, however, much to be 

 regretted, that an extensive selection, at least, was not 

 thought worthy of being made public property. 



We have affixed the name of Palm Squirrel var. to this 

 species, with a mark of doubt, which future observations 

 may perhaps remove. 



