THE JERBOA. 411 



with long ash-coloured soft hair, the breast and 

 belly is whitish : but what most deserves our at- 

 tention in the formation of this little animal, is 

 the legs j the fore-legs are not an inch long, with 

 four claws and a thumb upon each, while the 

 hinder legs are two inches and a quarter, and 

 exactly resemble those of a bird, there being but 

 three toes, the middlemost of which is longest. 



The jerboa is found in Egypt, Barbary, Pales- 

 tine, and the deserts between Bussorah and Alep- 

 po ; its hind-legs, as was said before, are only 

 used in running, while the fore-paws, like those 

 of a squirrel, grasp its food, and in some measure 

 perform the office of hands. It is often seen by 

 travellers as they pass along the deserts, crossing 

 their way, and jumping six or eight feet at every 

 bound, and going so swiftly, that scarcely any 

 other quadruped is able to overtake them. They 

 are a lively, harmless race of animals, living en- 

 tirely upon vegetables, and burrowing like rab- 

 bits in the ground. Mr Pennant tells us of two 

 that were lately brought to London, that bur- 

 rowed almost through the brick wall of the room 

 where they were kept ; they came out of their 

 hole at night for food, and when caught were 

 much fatter and sleeker than when confined to 

 their burrows. A variety of this animal is found 

 also in Siberia and Circassia, and is, most proba- 

 bly, common enough over all Asia. They are 

 more expert diggers than even the rabbit itself; 

 and when pursued for a long time, if they cannot 

 escape by their swiftness, they try to make a hole 

 instantly in the ground, in which they often bury 



