THE G E R B O A. 14» 



lefs than a fortnightj but unwilling to quit, while any thing alivs 

 ^remains, it devours the bark, and Ihortly kills the tree on which it fed. 

 ♦Utterly unable to defcend, it is obliged to drop to the ground like a 

 ihapelefs heavy mafs, then journeys to fome neighbouring tree. Often 

 •takes a week in crawling to a tree not fifty yards diftant. Every ftep ic 

 emits a moft plaintive, melancholy cry, accompanied with tearsj which 

 excites difguft, mixed with pity. This feems its chief defence. When 

 at length it reaches its dcftined tree, mounts it with much greater eafe 

 than when moving on the plain: devours withfamifhed appetite, and, as 

 before, not fparing the-vcFv fource of its fupplies. Has but one com- 

 mon vent. Lives fome time after its nobler parts arc wounded, or 

 taken awav. 



THE GERBOA 



HAS four feet, but, in running or refting, ufcs only the hinder, yet 

 is one of the fwifteft creatures in the v/orld. 

 ^ Is not above the fize of a large rat. Its head not totally unlike a rab- 

 bit, its teeth refemble thofe of the rat kind; two cutting teeth in each 

 jaw J a very long tail, tufted : head, back and fides covered with largs 

 alh-coloured foft'hair; bread: and belly whitifh, the fore-legs not an inch 

 Jong, four claws and a thumb on each; the hinder legs two inches and a 

 quarter, exadly refembling thofe of a bird, having but three toes, the 

 middle longed. 



Found in Egypt, Barbary, Paleftine, and the deferts; its tore-paws 

 grafp its food, and in fome meafure perform the office of hands. Jump 

 hx or eight feet at a bound ; extremely fwift. Are lively, harmlefs, live 

 on vegetables, burrow like rabbits. Are more expert diggers than the 

 rabbit; when purfued, if they cannot efcape by their fwiftnefs, they try 

 to make a hole inftantly in the ground. Is provident, and lays up for 

 winter. Cuts grafs in heaps of a foot fquare, which, when dried, carries 

 inro its burrow for food or warmth. 



1 he following animal has much external refemblance to the Gerbon: 

 •ji'hat is its true ftation, muft be decided by future obfervations ; our latcft 

 •information is as follows. 



THE 



