108 



HABITS AND INSTINCTS OF ANIMALS. CHAP. IV. 



between two trees, or branches, several yards asunder. 

 The flying phalangers of Australia are similarly con- 

 structed, and make prodigious springs often of ten 

 or twelve yards from branch to branch. 



(129.) Jumping or hopping is no uncommon mode 

 of progression among the gliriform or mouse-like ani- 

 mals. In this respect, the motions of the jerboa (fig. 28.) 



are extremely interesting. It may almost be said to have 

 but two feet ; for the fore pair are chiefly used as hands, 

 while the animal almost always stands on the hind 

 pair only. Its general mode of progression is by hop- 

 ping ; but, if pursued, it betakes itself to such vast and 

 quickly repeated leaps, as soon to convey it out of the 

 reach of any common enemy. The kangaroo proceeds 

 in the same manner; and has 

 been said to spring over more 

 than twenty feet at a leap, 

 besides being able to rise to 

 the height of nine feet or 

 more in the air. Leaping 

 is highly developed in the 

 family of antelopes, par- 

 ticularly such as live in 

 mountainous regions. The 

 chamois (fig. 29.) scrambles 

 amid the inaccessible rocks 

 of the Alps, with an agility which often baffles the 

 quickest eye, always moving in an oblique direction, 



