■■pARRY'S MARMOT-SQUIRREL. 77 



In referring again to the dentition of these allied genera, we may re- 

 mark that the anterior molar of the upper jaw, which is deciduous and 

 falls out at an early period in most species of true squirrels, remains per- 

 manently in all species of the genus Tamias and is smaller than in the 

 Spermophiles. These genera differ also in the form and length of their 

 claws. The long nails of the latter, the second claw, moreover, being 

 longest, places them near the marmots ; while the shorter, weaker, 

 and more arched nails of the ground squirrels, in which the third claw, 

 besides, is the longest, approximates them more nearly to the true 

 squirrels. 



The clucking notes of the chipping squirrels, are replaced in the mar- 

 mot-squirrels by the shrill whistling or chattering sounds emitted by the 

 marmots. 



The generic appellation Spermophilus, is derived from the Greek 

 words o5r£/>f<^, (sperma,) a seed, and ?'i>^(X, {philos,) a lover. 



There are now twelve species of this genus kno^vn as existing in North 

 America, and three in Europe, and a few are set down as belonging to 

 Asia and Africa. Some of the latter may, however, after more careful 

 examination, be found to belong to the genus Arctomys. 



SPERMOPHILUS P A R R Y I .—Richardson. 



PaERy's MAEMOT-SdUIEREL. PaEEy's SpEEMOPHILE. 



PLATE IX. — Male. Natural size. 



S. flavo-cinereus, supra albo variegatus, genis, lateribus, ventre, pedi- 

 busque flavis ; fronte aureo, pilis ex flavo et nigro ; ad radices flavis, 

 apice nigris. 



CHARACTEBS. 



General colour, yellowish-gray ; upper parts, mottled with white ; cheeks, 

 sides, under parts of the body, and feet, yellow ; fore-part of the head, deep 

 rich yellow ; the hairs varied with yellow and black ; at the roots chiefly deep 

 yellow, and at the points principally black. 



