108 



FROM NORTH POLE TO EQUATOR. 



reptiles; of the former we saw only a species of toad, and of the 

 latter, several mice, a souslik, two blind mole-rats, and the dainty 

 jerboa, popularly known as the jumping-mouse. 



The sousliks and the jerboas are most charming creatures. The 

 former especially are often characteristic features of steppe-life, for 

 in favourable places they readily become gregarious, and, like the 

 related marmots, form important settlements. It is usually towards 

 evening that one sees them, each sitting at the door of his burrow. 



Fig. 14. The Souslik (Spermophilus eitillus). 

 ( natural size.) 



Fig. 15. The Jerboa (Alactaga jaculus). 

 (J natural size.) 



On the approach of the waggon or train of riders they hastily beat a 

 retreat, inquisitively they raise their heads once more, and then, at 

 the proper moment, they vanish like a flash into their burrows, only 

 to reappear, however, a few minutes later, peering out cautiously 

 as if to see whether the threatened danger had passed safely by. 

 Their behaviour expresses a continual wavering between curiosity 

 and timidity, and the latter is fully justified, since, apart from man, 

 there are always wolves and foxes, imperial eagles and spotted 

 eagles, on their track. Indeed one may be sure that the sousliks 

 are abundant when one sees an imperial eagle perching on the 

 posts by the wayside or on the trees by a village. The jerboa 



