478 



MAMMALIA. 



time ago the exportation of Coypou skins was carried on very 

 extensively. According to M. D'Orbigny, there were sold, from 

 1827 to 1828, more than 150,000 dozens by the name of Castors' 

 of La Plata ; and in certain years the total number of skins offered 

 in the various markets of the world has attained three milLions. 



We will now pass to the interesting group of Squirrels 

 (Sciuridce). This group comprises, besides the Squirrels pro- 

 perly so called, the Sciuropterus, the Pteromys, the Anomalurus, 

 all Flying Squirrels, and the Tamias, or Grround Squirrels. 



Genus Squirrel. — The Squirrels are pretty little animals, 

 elegant in form, and rapid in movement, of a lively disposition, 





i^Si. 





i~ig. 2u5. — Coypou i^Mi/apotaiuun coijpus), 



and with a bright inquisitive eye. They are readily recognised 

 by their long tails, raised like a plume above their heads, and 

 furnished with bushy hair that stands out like the barbules of a 

 feather ; by their ears, which are sometimes terminated by a tuft 

 of hair ; and by their soft fur, which is abundant, clean, and 

 glossy. They have sharp claws, and climb trees with extra- 

 ordinary rapidity. 



The forest is their natural home. Their agility is extreme ; 

 their restlessness astonishing. If seen for a moment in one place, 

 like a flash of light they appear to flit to another. We see 

 them passing incessantly from branch to branch, from tree to 



