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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 64

Cases 9 to 11

Cases 9 to 11.

These contain the Rodents, the Bats, the Insectivom, and the Edentata.

The Bats, which are the only mammals that can really fly, are in Case 9. The most interesting are the large Flying Fox, of Samoa (Pteropus whitmeei), and thefl Nosed Bat (Nyctinomus indicus). The name Flying is taken from the shape and colour of the head of animal. There is no real relationship between it and true fox. It feeds upon fruit only.

The Rodents, or Gnawing animals, distinguished their fore teeth, are placed in Cases 9, 10, and are generally small animals, the largest being [unclear: Capebara] (Hydrochœrus capybara). This animal, as well the Paca (Cœlogenys paca), the Agouti (Dasyprocta [unclear: ginosa]), and the Cavy (Cavia spixi), [unclear: inhabit] America. The common Guinea-pig is a species [unclear: of] The Beaver (Castor fiber) is well-known on account [unclear: of] habits. Its tail is flat, and covered with scales, [unclear: and] toes are webbed.

The Marmots include the European species ([unclear: the] marmotta) and the Prairie Dog of N. America ([unclear: if] mys pruinosus).

The Souslik (Spermophilus citillus), of which there many species, connects the Marmots with the Squirrel page 9 of these there are many kinds, some being large, as Sciu bicolor, and others small, as the Palm Squirrel ([unclear: Schiu] maclellandi). The English Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) Represented by a specimen from Russia, in its winter coat of grey. In England it does not thus change its color in the winter. The Flying Squirrel ([unclear: Sciuropterus]) has a membrane stretched from its fore to [unclear: its] legs, which supports it in its leaps from tree to tree. It can not really fly.

Re Hamster (Cricetus frumentarius) lays up in its narrows large stores of grain, which it carries in its cheek

The Watfr Rats, or Voles (Arvicola amphibius), live near water, and the entrance to their burrows is generally below the surface.

The Lemming (Lemnus norvegicus) is found in Norway. Occasionally extraordinary migrations take place among them, nearly the whole number quitting a district. They move in a direction due west until they reach the sea; they then march straight into it, and all are drowned.

The Beaver Rat (Hydromys chrysogaster) is remark being one of the very few mamma's, not marsupial that inhabit Australia. The Porcupine ([unclear: Hystrix]) is clothed with long, spiny quills instead of hair; but in the American Tree Porcupine ([unclear: Cercolabes]) the quills are short, and for the most part hidden by the hair. It will be noticed that this Porcupine has, like most of the American monkeys, a prehensile tail.

The Insectivora are in Case 11. They are not numerous. The most interesting are the Mole (Talpa europea) is which the eyes are buried in the fur. The Hedge-hog [unclear: the] europeus), and the Field Mice (Sorex).

The Edentata are not a numerous, but a very peculiar group. They also are in Case 11. They are distinguished by having few or no teeth in their jaws. The Pangolin ([unclear: this] tricuspis) is covered with scales like a reptile. It has no teeth. The Armadillo (Busypus septemcinctus) is covered with an almost complete suit of armour; it has a few teeth. The Ant-eater (Myrmecophaga jubata, and tamandua) has the head drawn out into a tube, through which it can protrude a very long tongue. It has no teeth, but the body is covered with hair. The (Bradypus tridactylus) has rudimentary teeth. It page 10 lives among trees, from the branches of which it hangs by means of its long claws. It is by no means a sluggish animal when in its natural conditions; but when taken from the trees and placed on the ground, it can hardly move; and hence arose its name.