GNAWERS. 



61 



and between these and the grinders there is a wide 

 space without teeth. The cutting teeth have the 

 hard enamel only on the front of the ^_ 



tooth ; thus they wear in such a man- 

 ner that the more they are used the 

 sharper they become, and they grow 

 at the base as fast as they wear away 

 at the top. Hundreds of Rodents are 

 known, most of which are small. 



The Rodents include the Squirrels, Gophers, Wood 

 chucks. Rats and Mice, I^orcupines, Hares, etc. 



85. — Skull of 

 a Rodent. 



Squirrels. 



Squirrels are small and very pretty animals, with 

 large bright eyes, long ears, divided upper lip, and long 

 bushy tail. They are lightl)/ 

 built, agile, and live in trees, 

 feeding upon fruits and nuts. 

 There are about one hundred 

 kinds in North America, many 

 new kinds having recently 

 been discovered. The most 

 prominent are the large F"ox 

 Squirrels of the Middle, South- 

 ern, and Western States, and 

 the well-known Gray, Red, 

 and Flying Squirrels found 

 over a large part of the United 

 States. The Gray Squirrels are 

 noted for their occasional ex- 

 tensive migrations. Assemb- 

 lino- in large numbers, they cross the country 



Fl r 36 



- Gi i\ Squirrel 



■Awmimm!. 



