LAGOTiS.—Lagotis Cuviéri. 
localities among which it dwells. Although tolerably active, it appears to be possessed 
of little endurance, never attempting to escape by speed if it should chance to be alarmed, 
but diving at once into the welcome shelter of the nearest cranny. When wounded, they 
always seek the same retreat, so that unless they are killed by some instantly mortal 
injury, their bodies cannot be recovered by the hunter. The fur of this animal is 
so slightly attached to the skin that it comes away when handled. The flesh, however, is 
delicate and tender, and it is chiefly for the sake of its value as an article of food that 
the Lagotis is hunted. 
The GERBOAS bear a curious resemblance to the kangaroos, not only in their general 
appearance, but in many of their habits. Like those animals, they leap over distances 
which are absolutely enormous when the size of their bodies is taken into consideration, 
they constantly sit upright in order to observe surrounding objects, their food is of the 
same nature, and they carry it to their mouths in a similar manner. Their fore-limbs are 
extremely short, while the hinder legs and feet are developed to a very great extent, and 
they are all furnished with a long, hair-clad tail, which serves to aid them in preserving 
their balance while shooting through the air. 
One of the most familiar of these leaping rodents is the Sprinc HAAs, or CAPE 
GERBOA, sometimes called, from its hare-like aspect, the CAPE LEAPING HARE. 
It is a native of Southern Africa, and is found in considerable numbers upon the 
sides of mountains, where it inhabits certain burrows which it tunnels for itself in the 
ground. It prefers sandy ground for the locality of its habitation, and associates together 
in great profusion in favourable spots, so that the earth is completely honeycombed with 
its burrows. Being a nocturnal animal, it is rarely seen by daylight, seldom leaving its 
stronghold as long as the sun is above the horizon. The natives, who set some value on 
its flesh, take advantage of this habit, and being sure of finding the Spring Haas at home 
during the daytine, take their measures accordingly. Placing | a sentinel at the mouth of 
the burrow, they force the inmate to evacuate the premises by pouring a deluge of water 
into the hole, and as it rushes into the open air, it is seized or struck down by the ready 
hand of the sentinel. 
