GERBOA.—Dipus Agyptius. 
a second leap, it curves its tail into the peculiar form which is represented in the 
engraving, but straightens it in its aérial course. 
The Gerboa is a burrowing animal, and lives in society, so that it forms large natural 
“warrens” in those parts of the country where it takes up its residence. It is much 
hunted by the natives, who set some store by its rather unpalatable flesh, and is captured 
by stopping up as many burrows as can conveniently be reached, and killing the Gerboas 
as they rush affrighted from the open entrances. This is, indeed, almost the only successful 
mode of capturing these fleet and agile creatures; for if they can once leap away from the 
immediate vicinity of their pursuers, they scour over the ground with such wonderful 
speed that they can hardly be overtaken even by a trained greyhound. 
Dry and sandy spots are in greatest favour with the Gerboa, which is better able to dig 
in such soils than in moist situations. Against the injurious effects of the hard and burning 
eround upon its feet it is guarded by a thick covering of stiff, bristly hairs, which defend 
the soles of the feet from injury, and, moreover, are useful in giving a firm hold upon the 
eround when the animal is in the act of making one of its extraordinary bounds. It is a 
lively and playful animal, delighting to bask itself in the sun near the entrance of its 
burrows, and to divert itself by occasional gambols with its companions. Although it 
makes these visits to the open air for the sake of enjoying the warm beams of the sun, 
the Gerboa is a nocturnal animal, and feeds only by night. 
3y the united powers of its teeth and claws it can drive its tunnel through impediments 
which would bafile any ordinary animal; for it can not only cut its way through the 
hardest sand, but is even able to gnaw a passage through the thin layer of stone which 
lies beneath the sand. The food of these animals consists chiefly of roots and similar 
substances, which it digs out of the earth, but it also feeds on various kinds of grain. 
The generic term “ Dipus,” or two-footed, has been given to the true Gerboas because 
they press their fore-feet so closely to their breasts while they leap that they appear to be 
entirely destitute of those limbs, and only to possess the two long hind legs. All the 
animals that belong to this genus have five toes on their fore-feet and only three on the 
hinder feet. The hair of the tail is arranged in a double row, after the manner which is 
scientifically called “distichous.” 
