NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



long; tail ij inches. The chief points which 

 serve to distinguish it from the other species of the 

 same genus are : 



(i) Comparatively large ears (aWays over '5). 



(2) Four toes with claws on the hind-feet. 



THE SMALL-EARED MOUSE GERBILLE 



(Malacothrix pentonyx) 



The Small-eared Mouse Gerbille is an inhabitant 

 of the sandy flats of the western portion of the 

 Cape Province. 



It may be distinguished from the preceding 

 species by : 



(i) Its smaller ears, which do not exceed '5 in 

 length. 



(2) Its hind-feet have five clawed toes, and not 

 four, as in the other species of the genus. 



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