THE JERBOA. THE HEDGEHOG. 



■ 



The Jerboas are cele- 

 brated for their powers 

 of leaping. Their long 

 hind legs enable them 

 to take enormous leaps, 

 during which their tails 

 serve to balance them. 

 Indeed, a Jerboa, when 

 deprived of its tail, is 

 afraid to leap. At first 

 sight the Jerboa seenis 

 to alight on its hind 

 feet, as well as spring 

 from them, but the fact 

 is, that it alights on its 

 fore-feet and draws up 

 the hind legs ready for 

 the next leap with such 

 rapidity that the eye 

 can scarcely follow the 

 movement. The foot 

 of the Jerboa is de- 

 fended by long bristly 

 hairs, which not only 



five the creature a firm 

 old of the ground for 

 its spring, but also de- 

 fend the foot from the burning soil. The timidity of the Jerboa is very great, and on the slightest alarm 

 it instantly rushes to its burrow, but if intercepted, skims away over the plain with such rapidity that il 

 seems to fly, and when at full speed a swift greyhound can scarcely overtake it. Grain and bulbous roots 

 are its chief food; while eating, it holds the food with its fore paws, and sits upright on its haunches, like 

 the squirrels and marmots. 



African Jerboa. 



A Hedgehog. 



The Hedgehog is remarkable as 

 being guarded with spikes. These 

 spikes are fixed into the skin in a 

 very beautiful and simple manner. 

 When annoyed it rolls itself up, and 

 the tightness of the skin causes all 

 its spikes to stand erect. 



-^Yc^" 



An Asiatic Jerboa. 



(102) 



