tagua

[See def.] Bot. & Comm.: The Panama name for Vegetable Ivory. [PHYTELEPHAS.] tăg-u-an, s. [Native name.] Zool.: Pteromys petaurist a , from India, Ceylon, Malacca, and Siam. It is about two feet long, with a thick, bushy tail nearly as much more; ears pointed, but without tufts, eyes large and prominent; grayish-black above, grayish-white beneath. During the day it sleeps in holes in trees, but at night it comes forth climbing and leaping with great rapidity. In its short flights from tree to tree the tail serves as a sort of rudder, enabling the animal to change its course. Little is known of its habits, but it appears to be frugivorous, and is exceedingly shy and fearful.