48 
ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. 
the form of their teeth, in the number of their toes, 
in the outline of their form, and in almost every essen- 
tial point of structure. The most important difference 
that has hitherto been observed between them consists 
in the narrowness and elongation of the anterior part 
of their face, which is even slenderer than that of the 
Tamias, and is strikingly contrasted with the extreme 
brevity of the same part in the genuine Squirrels. 
In the arrangement of its colours also the Palm 
Squirrel approaches the former genus ; insomuch that 
Ray was disposed to regard the common Tamia or 
Ground Squirrel as specifically identical with the pre- 
sent animal. We find, however, on a close examination 
considerable differences in their markings. Those of 
the Palm Squirrel consist of three whitish stripes, the 
middle one of which occupies the central line of the 
back, extending from the back of the head to the base 
of the tail, while the two lateral ones advance forwards 
above the ears and terminate near the eyes. The 
ground-colour is blackish brown above, and white be- 
low. The tail is covered with long hairs, diverging on 
each side like those of a Squirrel, and to nearly the 
same extent, and is occasionally elevated in a vertical 
position, but seldom brought forwards over the back. 
In the full grown animal it is about six inches in length, 
and rather longer than the body. 
These creatures appear to be common in India, and 
to be particularly plentiful in the towns and villages, 
taking up their abodes on the roofs of houses and in 
old walls, in the cavities of which the female deposits 
her young. They commit great devastations in the 
orchards, destroying and devouring all kinds of fruit ; 
and are so familiar as even to enter the houses and 
pick up the crumbs that fall from the tables. Their 
name is derived from their being often seen on palm- 
