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Among the common North American squirrels are the gray squirrel (Scirius Carolinensis) and its black
variety; the fox, or cat, sqirrel (S. cinereus, or S. niger) which is a large species, and variable in color,
the southern variety being frequently black, while the northern and western varieties are usually gray
or rusty brown; the red squirrel (see Chickaree); the striped, or chipping, squirrel (see Chipmunk); and
the California gray squirrel Several other species inhabit Mexico and Central America. The common
European species (Sciurus vulgaris) has a long tuft of hair on each ear. the so- called Australian squirrels
are marsupials. See Petaurist, and Phalanger.
2. One of the small rollers of a carding machine which work with the large cylinder.
Barking squirrel (Zoöl.), the prairie dog. — Federation squirrel (Zoöl.), the striped gopher. See Gopher,
2. — Flying squirrel (Zoöl.). See Flying squirrel, in the Vocabulary. — Java squirrel (Zoöl.). See
Jelerang. — Squirrel corn (Bot.), a North American herb (Dicantra Canadensis) bearing little yellow
tubers. — Squirrel cup (Bot.), the blossom of the Hepatica triloba, a low perennial herb with cup-
shaped flowers varying from purplish blue to pink or even white. It is one of the earliest flowers of spring.
— Squirrel fish (Zoöl.) (a) A sea bass (Serranus fascicularis) of the Southern United States. (b) The
sailor's choice (Diplodus rhomboides). (c) The redmouth, or grunt. (d) A market fish of Bermuda —
Squirrel grass (Bot.), a pestiferous grass (Hordeum murinum) related to barley. In California the stiffly
awned spiklets work into the wool of sheep, and into the throat, flesh, and eyes of animals, sometimes
even producing death. — Squirrel hake (Zoöl.), a common American hake (Phycis tenuis); — called
also white hake. — Squirrel hawk (Zoöl.), any rough-legged hawk; especially, the California species
Archibuteo ferrugineus. — Squirrel monkey. (Zoöl.) (a) Any one of several species of small, soft-
haired South American monkeys of the genus Calithrix. They are noted for their graceful form and agility.
See Teetee. (b) A marmoset. — Squirrel petaurus (Zoöl.), a flying phalanger of Australia. See
Phalanger, Petaurist, and Flying phalanger under Flying. — Squirrel shrew (Zoöl.), any one of several
species of East Indian and Asiatic insectivores of the genus Tupaia. They are allied to the shrews, but
have a bushy tail, like that of a squirrel. — Squirrel-tail grass (Bot.), a grass (Hordeum jubatum)
found in salt marshes and along the Great Lakes, having a dense spike beset with long awns.
Squirt
(Squirt) v. t. [imp. & p. p. Squirted; p. pr. & vb. n. Squirting.] [Cf. LG. swirtjen to squirt,
OSw. sqvätta, E. squander.] To drive or eject in a stream out of a narrow pipe or orifice; as, to squirt
water.
The hard-featured miscreant coolly rolled his tobacco in his cheek, and squirted the juice into the fire
grate. Sir W. Scott. Squirting cucumber. (Bot.) See Ecballium.
Squirt
(Squirt), v. i.
1. To be thrown out, or ejected, in a rapid stream, from a narrow orifice; - - said of liquids.
2. Hence, to throw out or utter words rapidly; to prate. [Low] L'Estrange.
Squirt
(Squirt), n.
1. An instrument out of which a liquid is ejected in a small stream with force. Young.
2. A small, quick stream; a jet. Bacon.
Squirter
(Squirt"er) n. One who, or that which, squirts.
Squiry
(Squir"y) n. [See Squiery.] The body of squires, collectively considered; squirarchy. [Obs.]
The flower of chivalry and squiry. Ld. Berbers.
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