THE GERBOAS. 



185 



of a vegetable nature, and consists chiefly of various bulbous roots. 

 While feeding it sits upon its hinder feet, and conveys the food to its 

 mouth with its fore-feet, which it uses with singular adroitness. It is a 

 most exquisitely cleanly animal, as might be supposed from the beauti- 

 ful delicacy of its fur, for we may always remark that whenever an an- 

 imal is remarkable for the coloring or the texture of its natural robes, 



The Chinchilla {Chinchilla Idniger). 



it is always most assiduous in preserving them from any substance that 

 might stain their purity or clog their fibres. 



The fur of the Chinchilla is of a delicate clear gray upon the back, 

 softening into a grayish white on the under portions, and its texture is 

 marvellously soft and fine. 



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 their hinder legs 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 shoot- 

 ing through the air. 



The most familiar of these singular creatures is the Common Ger- 

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