Austral English / A dictionary of Australasian words, phrases and usages with those aboriginal-Australian and Maori words which have become incorporated in the language, and the commoner scientific words that have had their origin in Australasia

by Edward Ellis Morris

The species are—

Lesser F.-Ph.—
<i>Petaurus breviceps</i>.

Papuan Pigmy F.-Ph.—
<i>Acrobates pulchellus</i> (confined to Northern Dutch New
Guinea).

Pigmy F.-Ph.—
<i>A. pygmaeuss</i>.

Squirrel F.-Ph.—
<i>Petaurus sciureus</i>.

Taguan F.-Ph.—
<i>Petauroides volans</i>.

Yellow-bellied F.-Ph.—
<i>P. australis</i>.

<hw>Flying-Squirrel</hw>, <i>n.</i> popular name for a Flying-Phalanger, <i>Petaurus sciureus</i>, Shaw, a marsupial with a parachute-like fold of skin along the sides by which he skims and floats through the air. The name is applied to entirely different animals in Europe and America.

1789. Governor Phillip, `Voyage to Botany Bay,' c. xv. p. 151:

"Norfolk Island flying squirrel." [With picture.]