This species inhabits the peninsula of India and Ceylon, Malacca and Siam, where it is found only in the forests, living in trees, either singly or in pairs. Its activity is chiefly nocturnal, in which respect it differs from the ordinary Squirrels. During the day it sleeps in the holes of trees, but at night it comes forth, climbing and leaping with the greatest rapidity about the trees on which it lives. While thus engaged the lateral membranes are loosely folded at the sides of the body; but from time to time the Squirrel wishes to pass from one tree to another at some distance, and then it ascends to a considerable elevation and springs off, at the same time extending all four limbs as much as possible, when the tightly-stretched folds of skin lend the body a support, which enables it to glide through the air to some distance, although it seems always to alight at a lower level than that from which it started. During these aerial excursions the long bushy tail serves as a sort of rudder, and enables the animal even to change its course during flight. Of the habits of the Taguan very little is known. It appears to feed upon fruits, and is exceedingly shy and fearful. Of a nearly-allied species which he observed in China, Mr. Swinhoe says that the nest, which was placed high up in a large tree, measured about three feet in diameter, and was composed of interlaced twigs, and lined with dry grass. It contained only a single young Squirrel; but this might be exceptional. [Illustration: TAGUAN.]