. The naturalist's library; containing scientific and popular descriptions of man, quadrupeds, birds, fishes, reptiles and insects; . e toes; tail long, often with hair disposed in two rows; twopectoral and six ventral mammae. MAMMALIA—SQUIRREL. 249 nuts during the summer, which it deposits in the hollow part of some oldtree, and to these has recourse for provision in winter; and such is theagility of its body, that it will, in an instant, climb a beach tree, let its barkbe ever so smooth. THE AMERICAN GRAY SQUIRREL* I» remarkable for its beauty and activity, and is common throughout theUnited
. The naturalist's library; containing scientific and popular descriptions of man, quadrupeds, birds, fishes, reptiles and insects; . e toes; tail long, often with hair disposed in two rows; twopectoral and six ventral mammae. MAMMALIA—SQUIRREL. 249 nuts during the summer, which it deposits in the hollow part of some oldtree, and to these has recourse for provision in winter; and such is theagility of its body, that it will, in an instant, climb a beach tree, let its barkbe ever so smooth. THE AMERICAN GRAY SQUIRREL* I» remarkable for its beauty and activity, and is common throughout theUnited States. It is generally found in hickory and chesnut woods, whereit feeds on nuts, and lays up a hoard for the winter. They construct theirnests with care on the tops of tall trees, and seldom leave them during thecold weather. They do a great deal of mischief in the corn fields, bydestroying and carrying off a great quantity of corn. They are very easilydomesticated, and in captivity are very playful and mischievous. The graysquirrel is commonly of a fine bluish gray, mingled with a golden color. AMERICAN FLYING SQUIRREL.*. The common flying squirrel is very abundant in the United States, and ivmuch admired for the softness of its fur, and the gentleness of its disposetion. The skin of the sides is extended from the fore to the hind limbs, soas to form a sort of sail, which enables it to descend swiftly from a greaheight, in ^\e easiest and most pleasant manner, often passing over a considerable space. This squirrel is small, of an ash color above, andwhite beneath, with large, prominent black eyes. It builds its nest inhollow trees. 1 Sciurus cincreus, Desm. 2 Pteromys volucella, Desm. The genus Pteromys has two upper and two lower inci-sors ; no canines; ten upper and eight lower molars; head round; ears rounded; eye*large; fore feet with four elongated toes, with compressed sharp claws and the rudi-ment of a thumb; hind feet with five toes much divided; tail long, hairy
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1850, booksubjectnaturalhistory, booky
