SCIURUS CEP API.
obtuse; legs long; tail depressed, narrow, slightly distichous and pointed at
its extremity; two centre toes of equal length, those of the hinder feet but
little longer than the toe on each side of them; the difference is greater on
the fore feet; nails strong and much curved. The hair is slightly rigid,
and shortest on the head and feet; on the back and under parts it is rather
longer, while on the outer sides of the hinder legs, particularly towards the
base of the tail and on the tail itself, it is much longer still.
DIMENSIONS.
Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.
Length from the tip of the nose to the
base of the ta il.................... 7 9
Length of the fore legs to the tip of
the toes................................. 2 3
of the t a i l ....... ......................... 7- 0 the hinder legs to ditto....... 3 0
of the cranium ........................ 1 9 the tarsus of fore foot ....... 0 6
Breadth between the hinder extremities
of the zygomatic arches ... 0 11
the hinder foot.................... 0 10
The female, as regards colour and size, resembles the male, and like the
latter is liable to some variation in respect to tints.
The first specimens of this squirrel were observed upon the immediate banks o f the Limpopo
river, in about 24° 20' south latitude. The species was occasionally discovered upon the
ground, but more frequently upon trees; and when it happened to be surprised in the former
situation, it invariably endeavoured to reach the latter, and if successful, either attempted
to conceal itself in the forks of the branches, or in holes, if any existed, in the trunks, or other
parts. Its flight, when on the ground, was effected with amazing rapidity, and the perpendicular
ascent of the tree was accomplished with equal facility. It feeds by day, and,
according to the natives, also by night, and in all the specimens we obtained, the stomachs
were fully distended with berries, &c.