2 3 6 



GNAWING ANIMALS 



There still remain many species of Mouse-like Rodents 

 that are not without interest, but space forbids even the 

 bare enumeration of more than a few, and those chiefly 

 whose distinguishing characteristic is indicated in their 

 name : 



The Mole Rat, ranging from the south-east of Europe to 

 Persia ; the Fish-eating Rat of Peru, with its webbed and 

 fringed hind feet ; the Naked Sand Rat of Somaliland, 

 about the size of a mouse and much resembling a tiny, 

 hairless, but lively puppy; and the Spiny Mouse (Plate 

 XXV. Fig. i) of Syria and East Africa, which is some- 

 thing like a diminutive hedgehog. The Kangaroo Rat 

 is not an Australian animal, as one might be led to suppose, 

 but is one of a family that is confined to the New World. 

 Its distinctive features are the possession of hair-lined cheek 

 pouches and kangaroo-like hind legs, from which last it is 

 but a natural step to the concluding family of the Murines. 



FAMILY DIPODID.E (JERBOAS). 



JERBOA (Dipus cegypticus). 

 Coloured Plate XIV. Fig. 8. 



The Jerboa is of rather wide habitat, 

 for it is found in the South-east of 

 Europe, Central Asia, India, and 

 Ceylon ; from Syria and Arabia it 

 extends to Egypt and a great portion 

 of Africa. It is a small Rodent, almost 

 bird-like in aspect, six to eight inches 

 in length, with a tufted tail longer than 

 its body. Its home is largely in desert 

 regions, and the fur of the Jerboa 

 is generally of a sand colour. The 

 animal's most marked feature is the 

 disparity in length between its fore and 

 hind legs. Only three toes of the hind 

 foot are well developed, but the sole is fitted with elastic 

 pads. The hind limbs alone are used for progression, an d 



SKELETON OF THE 

 JERBOA. 



