RODENTIA. 
109 
arranged by Cuvier, effect a transition in the rudimental character of their dentition from the 
Carnivora to the Rodentia; inasmuch as the canines, and not the incisors, ^disappear in them 
(as observable in Hypsiprymnus) : the Wombat {Phascalomys) might indeed be thought to 
present a solitary exception to this remark ; but there is reason to believe that the gnawing 
teeth of this animal are modified incisors. Perhaps the nearest affinity of the Rodentia is 
with the Elephant, among the Pachydermata.'] 
Some of the Rodentia even ascend trees with facility. Such are 
The Squirrels {Sciurus, Lin.), — 
Which may be 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 however marked by a 
tubercle [and it is between these tubercles of the two fore-paws 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 very small additional one above in front, which soon falls. Their head is large, the eyes 
prominent and hvely. They are light and agile animals, which nestle on trees, and subsist upon their 
produce. 
The Squirrels, properly so called {Sciurus, Cuv ), — 
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.)— [Bright red in summer, with a dash of grey on the upper parts in 
winter, at which latter season the fur is much finer, and the ears are terminated with long hairs ; the belly white.] 
One of the most beautiful is the 
Sc. maocimus and macrourus, a native of India.— Nearly the size of a Cat ; above, black, the flanks and top of the 
head a beautiful bright maroon, the head, and all the under parts of the body, with the inside of the limbs, pale 
yellow ; a maroon-coloured band behind the cheek. It inhabits the palms, and is extremely fond of the milk of 
the cocoa-nut. 
There are several species in warm climates, remarkable for the longitudinal bands which adorn 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 appressed hairs, and somewhat tufted at 
the extremity, constitute the Petromys of Smith ; and others, also from Africa, which are entirely covered with 
coarse rigid fur, the claws of which also are long and straight, adapted for burrowing only, compose the Xerus, 
Emp., and Ehr. ; Geosciurus, 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. capensis, Thunberg, is an example of this form.] 
It is probable that we shall have to separate from the Squirrels certain species that have cheek- 
pouches, like the Hamsters, and which retreat into subterraneous holes. They are 
Such are 
The Ground-squirrels 
{Tamia, Ilfig.). 
The Sc. striatus, Lin., 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 probably, to distinguish 
The Guerlinguets \_{Macroxus, Bodd.)],— 
Wherein the tail is long, and almost round, and the scrotum pendent and enormous. In both the 
Ground-squirrels 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 this 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. volucella, Lin.) : it lives in troops in 
the prairies of the more temperate districts. 
