SPRINGHARE, OR CAPE JUMPING HARE 10 i 



eusis, G. darlingl, and G. nimrodi, besides a number of 

 recently created new forms of more or less validity. 



Sand-moles are destructive to the agriculturist, as 

 they are fond of potatoes, sweet potatoes, and roots of 

 various kinds. 



Family PEDETID^. 



Genus PEDETES. 



This animal is kangaroo-like in form, with short fore- 

 limbs, and long well-developed hind legs, enabling it to 

 jump long distances. There are powerful claws on the 

 forelegs, which are formed for digging. Dentition : 

 incisors 1-1, canines 0-0, premolars 1-1, molars 2-3 = 20. 



Pedetes cafFer. Springhare, or Cape Jumping Hare. 



Springliaas. 



Colour yellowish or sandy brown above, paler along 

 the sides, and whitish below. The ears are long and 

 pointed. The tail is strongly tipped with black. Hind 

 feet with onl}^ four toes armed with straight, nail-like 

 claws. Length of head and body about 2 feet. Tail about 

 1 feet 9 inches. This peculiar animal is found throughout 

 the higher and dryer regions of South Africa, where it 

 lives in colonies, formmg deep burrows in the earth. It 

 feeds, after sunset, upon roots, bulbs, and green vege- 

 tation. Its flesh is white and palatable, although man3' 

 people will not eat it in South Africa, owing to prejudice. 

 A favourite method of hunting the animal is with a 

 bull's-eye or acetelyene lantern at night, the animal being 

 blinded or fascinated by the light, at which it sits and 

 stares — or may be it does so from curiosity ; the eyes 

 gleam like coals of fire and offer an easy mark to the 

 sportsman. It progresses by leaps and bounds, after the 



