176 THE GERBUA. 



obliged to go several days without any supply ; and we 

 are informed that one remained suspended to a pole 

 across two beams, without any sustenance, for forty 

 days. 



THE GERBUA. 



The gerbua is abput the size of a large rat ; but the 

 head is formed somewhat like that of a rabbit : the tail 

 is long, and tufted at the end; and the teeth resemble 

 the rat kind : the head, back, and sides are covered 

 with ash-coloured hair, whilst that upon the breast and 

 belly is white : the fore legs are not more than an inch 

 in length ; but the hinder ones measure two and a half, 

 and exactly resemble those of a bird, having only three 

 toes on each, and the middle one exceeding the others 

 in length : upon the front feet there are four claws and 

 a thumb ; and with these it in some measure supplies 

 the place of hands, as, in running, it only makes use of 

 its hind legs. 



The gerbua is a lively, harmless, little animal, and is 

 found in Egypt, Barbary, Palestine, and Aleppo, and 

 is often seen by travellers, as they pass along the de- 

 serts, jumping and bounding six or eight feet at a leap, 

 and going forward with such amazing rapidity that 

 scarcely any other quadruped can overtake their flight. 

 A variety of this animal is likewise found in Siberia 

 and Circassia ; and in all probability it is common 

 throughout Asia. The gerbua feeds entirely upon ve- 

 getables, resides under ground the same as rabbits, 

 and make their burrows deeper, and with greater faci- 

 lity, than those animals are capable of doing. It is a 

 remarkable provident little creature ; cuts grass during 

 summer for its winter fare, and, when properly dried, 

 carries it to its subterraneous home. 



