154 COMMOlSr FLYING SQUIRREL. 



leaving lier nest only at the approach of evening, 

 and carefully concealing the young with the naoss 

 of the nest. The young begin to acquire their 

 fur at six days old; and at the same time the 

 front teeth are visible ; they continue blind, how- 

 ever, for the space of about thirteen days. 



These animals are very difficultly supported in 

 a state of confinement, and, from want of proper 

 food, &c. are rarely preserved for any consider- 

 able length of time. In their manner of sitting 

 and feeding, as well as in the action of washing 

 their face with their paws, &c. they resemble the 

 common squirrel. Their colour continues the 

 same through the whole year. The tail, which 

 in the full-grown animal is broad and very full of 

 hair, is in the young of a round or cylindric form. 

 Their voice resembles that of a mouse. The fur 

 of this species, though soft and beautiful, is but 

 little esteemed, on account of the slightness of 

 the skin^ and its want of durability. 



