P T E R OM IM .
Genus P t e r o m y s , Cuvier.
P t e r o m y s .
Baron G. Cuvier1 was the first to separate the flying from the ordinary squirrels,
under the genus Pteromys. No one will he found to dispute the correctness of this
course, hut while some naturalists have followed in the footsteps of Prederic Cuvier2
in sub-dividing the flying squirrels into two groups, one Pteromys and the other
Sciuropterus, others have failed to appreciate the significance of the characters
which he assigned to the genus Scmropterus.
As is well known, P. Cuvier relegated to the genus Scmropterus all the small
flying squirrels which he considered to resemble the ordinary squirrels by the conformation
of their teeth, in the less complex character of the folds of enamel in
the molar series.
I have examined the dentition in the following species, viz.: P. teromys oral,
P. caniceps, P. leucogenys, P. magnificus, P. melanotis, P. nitidus, P. pu/nctatus,
P. tephromelas, P. alboniger, P. fuscocapillus, and P. volcms,—that is, in flying
squirrels belonging to both of the two supposed genera; but, according to my observations,
the form of the enamel folds in youth are essentially similar, consisting of a
series of tubercular folds which are marked with wavy lines in some, and are smooth
in others, but, in all, there is a marked conformity to a common type. The seemingly
more complex character of the folds appears to depend on the extent to
which the tubercular ridges are worn by use.
Since P. Cuvier wrote, many naturalists have been inclined to regard the distichous
arrangement of the hairs of the tail, which is undoubtedly characteristic
of some species, as a feature common to all the smaller flying squirrels, or to those
which they have been wont to consider as belonging to the genus or sub-genus
Scmropterus ; but, after a careful examination of this organ, in nearly all the members
of the series, I have failed to detect that it is essentially distinctive of them that
is, that the distichous arrangement of the hairs is always associated with a diminutive
species; but, at the same time, there can be no doubt that it is more prevalent among
such. The tail is bushy in the following species, viz.: P . oral, P . cineracetts,
1 Tab. Element, 1797, p. 135; Anat. Comp. 1799, voL L Tab. i.
2 Des Dent, dee Mammif. 1825, p. 165.
P. elegans, P. pwictatus, P. caniceps, P. albwenter, P. nitidus, P. magnificus,
P. phceomelas, P. leucogenys, P. xcmthipes, P. alborufus, P. me lanop terns, P.
tephromelas, P . layardii, P . fuscocapillus, and P.jvfnbriatus ; whereas it is partially
distichous in P. melanotis, and is wholly so in P.pearsonii, P. momonga, P. pulveru-
lentus, P. alboniger, P. horsfieldii, P. gembarbis, P. lepidm, P.pfroyrei, P. spocli-
ceus, and P . volcms. The wing parachute, however, in all the members of the
group is the same, although some naturalists have described it in S. sagitta as
having an expansion in front of the fore limb, which does not exist in the other
species, but this is unquestionably an error. I am therefore disposed to regard
the flying squirrels generally as constituting a well-defined, generic group, the
parallel of the genus Sciurm which consists of an extensive series of specific forms
distinguished by a remarkable uniformity of structure both in their skulls and
skeletons and in the formation of their soft parts.
P t e e o m t s o e a x .,1 Tickell.
Tagtum <m grand EcweuU volmt, Buffon, Hist. Nat. Suppl. vol. in. (in part), 1766, p. 150 pi x x i
et ix i. bis; Vosmaer, Beg. An. 1767, (in part) plate.
rtcromys getawritta, Schreber, Sangeth. vol. iv, 1792, p. 819,■ pi. 2MA, fig. Buffim’s (in part) ■
Desmarest, Mamm. 1820 (in part), p. 812; Gray, Hand-List, Mamm. B. M. 1818 p 188-
Miffler nnd Scblegel, Yerhandl. 1889-«,, p. 106 (in p a r f f :Scbina, Syn. Mamm. vol. ii. 1815
p. 50 (in part]I; Blyth, Journ. As. Soc. Beng. vol. xvi. 1817, p. 865 (in p a rt); Cat. Mamm!
As. Soc. Mus. 1863, p. 91; Hoisfield, Cat'. Mamm. E. Ind. Co.'s Mus. 1851. p. 159 (in part)
Jerdon, Mamm. Ind. 1867, p. 174. ’
1 f j term P . petaurista has been generally applied to large flying squirrels from the Moluccas, Philippines,
Malayan islands and India, and to widely different forms, I have retained the term P . oral for the Indian species
a . f a t dearly l a t o W by T.ckell, sad P . f a n « « , for %> Burmese and Malayan animal, which was f a t recognised
f™ “ 7 EH n5“ “ ' “ h<"">wr, very doabtfnl that the latter form is specifically «parable
from P . oral. The following are some of the chief References to the literature of the subject:__
H B 1 i 5 , i H ?' “ ° L B n Hi“ ' Q“ ‘1' E i 1792 (rei) P -161; Vo.rn.cr, Beg. Ann.
2 I ir66' P' » P'- " • «!!»■ l- 2 i Erdeben, S y .t An. 1 7 7 7 ,p. 238; Zimmerman, Seogmnh
Qeeeb. 1780, vol. u p. 349; Boddaert, Elenoh. Animal, 178», voL i. p. 120; Gmehn Lrn Sjst 1788 p ° l
Sohrebm■. Sangath. vol. nr. 1792, p. 819, pis. 224 A and B. (fig. Buffon); Shaw, Genl. Zool. 1801, vol. fi nt ¡ 1 !
p.160, pis. 163 at 153; Cuvier, Big. Ann. vol. 1.1817, p. 207; Desmarest, Mamm. 1820,p. 341; E. Civ filet des
l l f f t t e P- 41 ! 6« Zool: 1827, p. 241; Is. Geoff. St.-Hll. Blot. Clam. d'Hist. Nat. vol. n v .
J E 9 1829' P' 362! WaSn“ ' “ techor, Singcth. Snppl. vol. ill. 1843, p. 221.
pl.224B ; Muller und Sohleg.1, Verbandl. 1839-44, p. 106; Seblns. Syn. Mamm. vol. 11.1846, p. 865; Blyth.
Journ. As. Soc. 1827, vol. xvi. p. 865.
tb . M H i S l i p # " * >“?* of vhiob, however, the bielmy is unfortunately unknownI
i i a ,TP“ i “ r“T rl“ b1’ on — ‘ of the peculiar character of its colouring. The head, including
the checks and. the „des of the neck and throat, are brick-red; the upper surface of tho head being grizzled with white.
The ame colour spreads ov.r the shoulder, hack, and sites to the end o f the lumbar region..and on tbesepart. it is f a
grizzled with whitish, which produces a pale yellowish-red tint. The middle of the hack is marked by a transverse
dark narrow brown band. The rump, thighs and feet are pale yellowish-white. The middle of tho membrane is paler
than the back, andttic.portion » tem p i to tho shoulder is reddish-yellow, tending to white, whUe'the wrist elongation is
rich red-brown, m a t remains of the tail resembles the colour of the lumbar region. All the under parts are red.
Ihere is a pale yellow area around the eye. The ears are small for the size o f the animal and are sharply pointed.
Ihe oheek-bnstles are only feebly developed. The body measures 23 inches along the back.
,, d°ubtiess one ffl the many species which have been referred to S. petaurista, and it is interesting to recollect
that the Leyden Museum contained some of the first flying squirrels referred to P . petaurista. This old specimen
stands without a ’name.