OEDEE OF EODENTIA. 
481 
the trunk of the tree, and turns round it at the same time as her 
pursuers, be it Man or animal, so as always to have it inter- 
vening, at the same time ascending so cleverly that at last, un- 
perceived, she reaches her destination. There she rests still and 
invisible among the foliage until the danger has disappeared. 
It is this ruse which makes it so difficult to succeed in shooting 
them. 
This animal swims very well, but will not enter water unless 
compelled. Cleanliness it practises to such an extent as to employ 
a large portion of its time in dressing its fur. Consequently it 
never exhales an unpleasant odour. TV hen irritated, it emits a 
sort of growling sound ; but its habitual cry is a shrill note, that 
not unfrequently betrays its presence. 
The handsome coat, vivacity, and gracefulness of the Squirrel 
have attracted the sympathy of Man. Few have not known it as 
a pet. Taken young, it is tamed with facility ; but it never 
shows markedly any traits of affection. When will people cease 
to confine Squirrels in those horrible revolving cages, which they 
wheel round, to the great enjoyment of the thoughtless P Is it 
believed that the animaFs happiest moments are reached when 
doing so? Until we have proof to the contrary, we may be 
permitted to doubt such to be the case, and condemn the 
incarceration as abominable cruelty. 
Squirrels are found in all parts of the world, and everywhere 
their manners are the same as the European species, to which 
what we have stated is more particularly applicable. 
We ought to mention, however, that in certain countries 
Squirrels do not live in isolated couples, but in numerous bands. 
This is the only essential point in which the numerous species 
differ in habits. Their size and colour, on the contrary, vary 
much. Thus, the Squirrels of India and the Malayan Islands 
are remarkable for the brilliancy and the variety of their coats ; 
one of them, the Great Malabar Squirrel, is more than twice the 
size of the European, and even larger still is the Great Fox 
Squirrel of North America. In the temperate regions of Europe, 
this animal is usually of a more or less bright red on the 
back, and white beneath, sometimes it is a deep brown, almost 
black. 
Elsewhere the pelage of the Squirrel varies in colour according 
