RODENTIA. 109 



arranged by Cuvicr, effect a transition in the rudimental character of their dentition from the 

 Carnivora to the Rodentiu; inasmuch as the canines, and not the incisors, disappear in them 

 (as observable in Hypsiprymnus) : the Woinl)at [Phascalomys) might indeed be thought to 

 present a soUtary exception to this remark ; but there is reason to beheve that the gnawing 

 teeth of this animal are modified incisors. Perhaps the nearest ajjinity oi the Rodentia is 

 ■with the Elephant, among the Pachydermata.'] 



Some of the Rodentia even ascend trees with facility. Such are 



The Squirrels {Sciv.rus, Lin.), — 

 Which may he recognized by their very compressed lower incisors, and by their long bushy tail. Their 

 fore-feet have only four toes, the hinder five: the site of the anterior thumb is ho-^-ever marked by a 

 tubercle [and it is between tliese tubureles of tbc two forc-iiaws that the Squirrels and allied genera 

 hold up their food to the mouth]. They have in all four grinders to each jaw, variously tuhercu- 

 lated, and a veiy small additional one above in front, which soon falls. Their head is large, the eyes 

 prominent and lively. They are light and agile animals, whicli nestle on trees, and subsist upon their 

 produce. 



The Squirrels, properly so called {Sciurus.,C\\\), — 



Have the hairs on the tail directed laterally, so as to resemble a feather. There are numerous species 

 on both continents. 



The Common Squirrel {Sc. vulgaris, 'L.) — [Bri2"ht red in summer, with a dash of grey on the upper parts in 

 winter, at which latter season the fur js much liner, and the ears are termiuated with long hairs ; the helly white.] 

 One of the most beautiful is the 



Sc. maximns and iiiaa-ourus, a native of IndJa.^Nearly the size of a Cat; ahove, black, the flanks and top of the 

 head a beautiful bri;i;ht maroon, the head, and all tlie under parts of the body, with the inside of the hmbs, pale 

 yellow ; a maroon-coloured band behind the cheek. It inhabits the palms, and is extremely fond of the milk uf 

 the cocoa-nut. 



There arc several species in warm climates, remarkable for the longitudinal bands which adoni their fur. Such 

 are the Palmist [which has been known to vary entirely black, or white, &c. Certain African species, inhabiting 

 rocky situations, the tail of which is not bushy, but thinly covered with stiff appreseed hairs, and somewhat tufted at 

 the extremity, constitute the Pf^row(f/i" of Smith ; and others, also from Africa, which are entirely covered with 

 coarse ri^-id fur, the claws of which also are long and straight, adapted for burrowing only, compose the Xerut;, 

 Emp., and Ehr. ; Gcosciunts, Smith ; many of the latter animals live together, in holes of the ground ; subsisting 

 mainly on roots, for which they scratch up the soil. Sc. capevsis, Thunherg, is an example of this form.] 



It is probable that we shall have to separate from the Sc{uirrels certain species that have cheek- 

 pouches, hke the Hamsters, and which retreat into subterraneous holes. They are 



The GROUND-sauiRRELs {Tamia, Illig-). 

 Such are 



The Sc. striafus, Liu., which is found throughout northern Asia and America, particularly in the pine forests. 

 The tail is less bushy than in the Common Squirrel of Europe, the ears smooth, and fur brown, with five black 

 stripes and two white ones. [Those from America are specifically different, and indeed constitute two or three 

 separate species.] 



We ought also, most proljably, to distinguish 



The Guerlinguets \_{Macroxus, Bodd.)], — ■ 

 "Wherein the tail is long, and almost round, and the scrotum pendent and enormous. In both the 

 Ground-sqiiirrels and Guerlinguets, the teeth are similar to those of the true Squirrels. 

 Species of them occur on both continents. 



The Taguans, Assapans, or Flying Squirrels, {Pteromys, Cuv.) — 

 Have already been separated. In these the skin of the flank, extending between the fore and hind 

 legs, imparts the faculty of sustaining themselves for some instants in the air, and of making immense 

 leaps. Their feet have long osseous appendages, which support a portion of tliis lateral membrane. 



There is a species in Poland, Russia, and Siberia {Sciurus volans, Lin.)— Greyish ash-colour above, white below ; 

 the tail only half the length of the body: size of a Rat; and which lives solitarily in the forests. Another in 

 North America, smaller, with the tail only a fourth shorter than the body {Sc. volucclla, Lin.) : it hves in troops in 

 the prairies of the more temperate districts. 



