466 ZOOLOGY. 



The Murina were represented in the fauna of the tertiary epoch by 

 species belonging to the genera Mm (rats) and Cricetus (hamsters), and 

 were very abundant during the diluvial period, at least in Europe. 



Sab-fam. 6. Ctenodactylina^ is the smallest section among Muridoe, there 

 being only one species known, and therefore constituting one genus, the 

 "genus Gtenodadijlus (the hairy-footed jerboa), belonging to Barbary, in 

 northern Africa. Tlie head is more compressed than in any of its 

 congeners. There are only three toes to the hind feet, as in the jerboa 

 (Dipus), but they are more hairy. 



Suh-fam. 7. Dipodina^ are those murines in which the hind legs are 

 much longer than the fore ones, the consequence of which is that they 

 jump instead of run on the ground. In general appearance they have 

 some resemblance to the kangaroos. The species are distributed into four 

 renera, three of which belong to the old hemisphere and one to North 

 America. The latter is the genus Meriones^ with but one species, M. 

 ainericanus (the jumping mouse). The ujiper incisors are grooved, and a 

 very small tooth is observed in advance of the upper molars. The tail is 

 very long and nearly naked. A very active animal, that shuts itself np in 

 its burrow and passes the winter in a state of lethargy. 



In the genus Dipus (jerboas) the tail is long and tufted at its extremity ; 

 the head is large ; the eyes also are large and prominent. The ancients 

 called these animals the biped rats, from the enormous disproportion of 

 their posterior limbs. They seldom move otherwise than by great leaps 

 on their hind feet. There are five toes to each of the fore feet, and in 

 -certain species, besides the three great toes to the hind feet, there are small 

 lateral ones. They live in burrows, and become torpid during the winter. 

 Six species are contained in this genus, all of them inhabiting the old 

 hemisphere. 



The genus Alactaga contains eight species also inhabiting the old hemi- 

 sphere. They are distinguished from the jerboas (Dipus) by much longer 

 ears. They also possess two small lateral toes. 



The genus Pedetes has a large and flattish head, a thick snout, and long 

 ■ears. The anterior limbs have five toes armed with very long claws ; the 

 posterior legs, very long, have but four toes. The tail is long and bushy. 

 'The molars are simple, four above and four below on each side. A single 

 fipecies, P. capensis osr Helamys caffer {pi. 113, fi^g. 5), is known from the 

 Cape of Grood Hope. 



A fossil species of Bipodina {Dipus dipoides) has been discovered in cen- 

 tral Europe. 



Suh-fmn. 8. Myoxina^ are excluded from the new world. The genus 

 Myoxus oir dormice, characterized by the jaresence of four molars above 

 and below on each side ; a very long tail, sometimes well clothed with hair 

 and round, sometimes depressed, and sometimes tufted at the extremity 

 only. The fur is very soft and fine. There are five toes behind, four and 

 the vestiges of a fifth in front. Dormice are pretty little animals with 

 lively eyes, living on trees like squirrels, and feed on fruits. They become 

 torpid in winter. This genus is composed of ten species, seventeen of 

 670 



