170 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE JERBOA. 



jerboas and jerbilles. The jerboas are easily recognized by the length 

 of their hind-legs and the disposition of their toes three to each* 

 hind-foot, the middle larger than the rest ; five to each fore-foot ; and 

 all furnished with sharp, strong, crooked claws ; their structure 

 resembling that of the raptores among birds. These animals leap 

 with great celerity, and to an extraordinary distance. The tail, 

 which is a fifth longer than the body, and terminated by a tuft of 

 black hair, forms at one and the same time a sort of balance, a 





GAZELLES OP ARABIA OPPOSING A TAXTIIER. 



rudder, and a lever. It enables the jerboa to preserve his equilibrium, 

 and to direct himself when he has taken his spring ; or, in a state 

 of repose, furnishes him with a substantial support. 



The jerboas constitute, in the family of dipodidce, a tribe com- 

 posed of several species, which are found in eastern and central 

 Europe, Asia, and Africa. 



The jerbilles, owing to the similarity of name, are often con- 

 founded with the jerboas ; but the only things they have in common 



