THE FLYING MOUSE. 109 
powers.of grasp, and their structure is intended to fit them for procuring 
their food among the branches of the trees, on which they pass the greater 
portion of their existence. 
First and least of the Phalangistines, is the beautiful little animal which is 
called the OPPOSSUM MOUSE in some parts of the country, and the FLYING 
MOUSE in others. 
This pretty little creature is about the size of our common mouse, and 
when it is resting upon a branch, with its parachute, or umbrella of skin, 
drawn close to the body by its own elasticity, it looks very like the comrnon 
mouse of Europe, and at a little distance might easily be taken for that 
animal. In total length it rather exceeds six inches, the Jength of its head 
and body being about three inches and a half, and that of the tail not quite 
y i) 
Me 
LEY 
OPOSSUM MOUSE.—(Acrobates pygma@us.) 
three inches. On account of its minute size this animal is also called the 
IGMY PETAURIST. , 
7 Tn the colour of the upper portions of the body the Opossum Mouse is of 
the well known mouse tint, slightly sprinkled with a reddish hue; but on 
the abdomen and under portions of the skin parachute, the fur is beautifully 
white. The line of demarcation between the hair is very well defined, and 
there is a narrow stripe of darker brown that marks out the line of juncture. 
When the animal is at rest, the parachute closes by its own elasticity, and 
gathers itself into folds, which have a very pretty effect, on account of the 
delicate white fur which becomes exposed by the action, and which undulates 
in rich and graceful folds, alternating with the dark fur of the back and the 
still darker stripe that forms the line of demarcation. 
The tail of the Opossum Mouse is nearly as long as the body, very slender, 
and remarkable for the manner in which the hairs are affixed to it. The 
hairs that fringe the greater part of the tail are about one-sixth of an inch 
in length, reddish grey in colour, rather stiff, and are set on the tail in a 
double row, like the barks of a feather. A similar formation has alread , 
been described in the history of the pen-tail of Sarawak. This mode oi 
arrangement is called “‘ distichous.” 
