118 NATURAL HISTORY. 



during which their tails serve to balance them. Indeed, a 

 Jerboa, when deprived of its tail, is afraid to leap. At first 

 sight the Jerboa seems to alight on its hind-feet, as well as 

 spring from them, but the fact is, that it alights on its fore- 

 feet and draws up the hind legs ready for the next leap 

 with such rapidity that the eye can scarcely follow the move- 

 ment. 



In the history of the polar bear it was mentioned that its 

 feet were prevented from slipping on the ice by a coating of 

 thick hair. The foot of the Jerboa is defended by long 

 bristly hairs, which not only give the creature a firm hold of 

 the ground for its spring, but also defend the foot from the 

 burning soil. 



The timidity of the Jerboa is very great, and en the 

 slightest alarm it instantly rushes to its burrow, but if inter- 

 cepted, skims away over the plain with such rapidity that it 

 seems to fly, and when at full speed a swift greyhound can 

 scarcely overtake it. 



Grain and bulbous roots are its chief food ; while eating, it 

 holds the food with its fore paws, and sits upright on its 

 haunches, like the squirrels and marmots. The Jerdoa does 

 not bear confinement well ; it always appears uneasy and 

 distrustful ; it remains hidden during the day, and even when 

 it emerges from its concealment towards the evening is always 

 ready to retreat at the least alarm. 



There are many jerboas ; the Egyptian Jerboa is rather 

 small, being about the size of a large rat ; its colour is a 

 tawny yellow. 



THE DORMOUSE. 



The DORMOUSE is very common in all the warmer parts 

 of the Continent, and is often found in England, especially 

 in the southern and midland counties. It lives in copses 

 and among brushwood, through which it makes its way with 

 such rapidity that it is very difficult to capture. During the 

 winter it lies torpid, but takes care to have a stock of food 

 laid up, on which it feeds during the few interruptions to 'its 

 slumbers. A warm day in winter will usually rouse it, but 



