COMMON JERBOA. 1?7 



During the day it commonly remains in its hole ; 

 coming out at night for food and exercise. On 

 the approach of cold it is said to grow torpid for 

 some time, reviving on the change of weather. 



" O O 



This animal has frequently been brought into 

 Europe, and in a state of confinement has been 

 known to burrow almost through a brick wall. 

 It has been well figured by Edwards, who did not 

 observe any appearance of a spur or back toe. 

 It is possible, however, that from its minuteness it 

 might have escaped his attention. 



The measurements of this species arc differ- 

 ently given by authors, and it appears clearly 

 to vary somewhat in size in different countries ; 



/ 



those of Siberia, described by Dr. Pallas, being 

 smaller than those of Africa ; and, after all, it is 

 not impossible that they may in reality be distinct, 

 though so neady resembling each other as to 

 make the distinction very difficult : in Dr. Pallas's 

 specimens a white transverse band runs across the 

 upper part of the thighs, whereas in that of Ed- 

 wards a black or dusky band passes across the 

 lower part of the back, without any appearance 

 of the white one It is difficult to determine whe- 

 ther the kind described and figured bv Mr. Bruce 



o * 



should be considered as a variety of the present 

 species or of the Alagtaga ; since it agrees with 

 the Common Jerboa, in having the black dorsal 

 band or crescent, while, on the contrary, in the 

 number of its toes on the hind-feet it seems to 

 differ from, both ; the author expressly declaring 

 v. ii. p. i. 12 



