296 



LEOPARD-SPERMOPHILE. 



Tail, to end of hair 

 From heel to end of nail 

 Longest claw on the fore-foot 



Measurement of an old female. 

 Nose to root of tail 

 Tail (vertebrae) . 

 Tail, to end of hair 

 Fore-feet to end of claws 

 Heel to end of longest claw 

 Nose to opening of ear 

 Length of pouch, to angle of mouth 



Dr. Richardson measured a male that was nine inches to the insertion 

 of the tail. He remarks that the females are smaller than the males. 



4i 



inches 



■ n 



do. 



. 0% 



do. 



■ 6J 



do. 



3J 



do. 



. 4| 



do. 



. oi 



do. 



. If 



do. 



• u 



do. 



• ItV 



do. 



We believe it is generally supposed that " birds," with their varied 

 and pleasing forms, their gay and beautiful plumage, their tuneful 

 throats, and their graceful movements through the air, present greater 

 attractions to the student of nature than " quadrupeds," and awaken in 

 him a stronger desire to acquire a knowledge of their natures and cha- 

 racters than he may entertain to study the habits of the mammalia. 



In addition, however, to the fact that the latter are like ourselves 

 viviparous, and approach our own organization, it should be remem- 

 bered that all the productions of nature are the w^ork of so infinite a w^is- 

 dom, that they must, in every department of the physical world, excite 

 our greatest interest and our admiration, even when examined super- 

 ficially. 



Among the quadrupeds, there are innumerable varieties of form and 

 character, and although most animals are nocturnal, and therefore their 

 habits cannot be studied w^ith the same facility with which the manners 

 and customs of the lively diurnal species of birds may be observed ; yet 

 when w^e follow them in their nightly wanderings, penetrate into their 

 retreats, and observe the sagacity and extraordinary instincts with which 

 they are endowed, we find in them matter to interest us greatly, and 

 arouse our curiosity and astonishment. 



Owls seem to us a dull and stupid race, principally because we only 

 notice them during the day, which nature requires them to spend in 

 sleep, the structure of their eyes compelling them to avoid the light, 

 and seek concealment in hollow trees, in caves, and obscure retreats. 



