xteen to twenty caudal plates in the mesial
line; and by its strong fore-claws, the middle one of which is not
quite twice as long as the corresponding claw on the hind foot.

"_M. Javanica_ is recognised by its body being longer and more
attenuated than in the two foregoing species; by its narrower and
more tapered tail; by its longer and more foliaceous or darker
olive-brown scales, of which there are nineteen longitudinal rows
on the trunk, and as many as thirty along the mesial line of the tail;
and by the claws of the fore-feet being not nearly so long as in _M.
aurita_, and being but little in excess of the claws of the
hind-feet."

APPENDIX A.

FAMILY MYOXIDAE--THE DORMICE.

These small rodents approximate more to the squirrels than the true
mice; but they differ from all others intestinally by the absence
of a caecum. They have four rooted molars in each upper and lower
jaw, the first of each set being smaller than the other three, the
crowns being composed of transverse ridges of enamel. In form they
are somewhat squirrel-like, with short fore-limbs, and hairy, though
not bushy, tails. The thumb is rudimentary, with a small, flat nail;
hind-feet with five toes.

[Illustration: Dentition of Dormouse (magnified).]

The common English dormouse is a most charming little animal, and
a great pet with children. I have had several, and possess a pair
now which are very tame. They are elegant little creatures, about
three inches long, with tails two and a-half inches; soft deep fur
of a pale reddish-tawny above, pale yellowish-fawn below, and white
on the chest. The eyes are large, lustrous, and jet-black. The tails
of some are slightly tufted at the end. They are quite free from the
objectionable smell of mice. In their habits they are nocturnal,
sleeping all day and becoming very lively at night. I feed mine on
nuts, and give them a slice of apple every evening; no water to drink,
unless succulent fruits are not to be had, and then sparingly. The
dormouse in its wild state lives on fruits, seeds, nuts and buds.
In cold countries it hibernates, previous to which it becomes very
fat. It makes for itself a little globular nest of twigs, grass, and
moss, pine-needles, and leaves, in which it passes the winter in a
torpid state. "The dormouse lives in small societies in thickets and
hedgerows, where it is as active in its way amongst the bushes and
undergrowth as its cousin the squirrel upon the larger tree