5 88 



THE LAGOTIS. 



localities among which it dwells. Although tolerably active, it appears to be possessed 

 of little endurance, never attempting to escape by speed if it should chance to be alarmed, 

 but diving at once into the welcome shelter of the nearest cranny. When wounded, they 

 always seek the same retreat, so that unless they are killed by some instantly mortal 

 injury, their bodies cannot be recovered by the hunter. The fur of this animal is 

 so slightly attached to the skin that it comes away when handled. The flesh, however, 

 is delicate and tender, and it is chiefly for the sake of its value as an article of food 

 that the Lagotis is hunted. 



The GERBOAS bear a curious resemblance to the kangaroos, not only in their general 

 appearance, but in many of their habits. Like those animals, they leap over distances 

 which are absolutely enormous when the size of their bodies is taken into consideration, 

 they constantly sit upright in order to observe surrounding objects, their food is of the 

 same nature, and they carry it to their mouths in a similar manner. Their fore-limbs 



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LAGOTIS. Lagotis Cuvlerl. 



are extremely short, while the hinder legs and feet are developed to a very great extent, 

 and they are all furnished with a long, hair-clad tail, which serves to aid them in pre- 

 serving their balance while shooting through the air. 



One of the most familiar of these leaping rodents is the SPRING HAAS, or CAPE 

 GERBOA, sometimes called, from its hare-like aspect, the CAPE LEAPING HARE. 

 ^ It is a native of Southern Africa, and is found in considerable numbers upon the 

 sides of mountains, where it inhabits certain burrows which it tunnels for itself in the 

 ground. ^ It prefers sandy ground for the locality of its habitation, and associates 

 together in great profusion in favorable spots, so that the earth is completely honey- 

 combed with its burrows. Being a nocturnal animal, it is rarely seen by daylight, seldom 

 leaving its stronghold as long as the sun is above the horizon. The natives, who set 

 some value on its flesh, take advantage of this habit, and being sure of finding the 

 Spring Haas at home during the daytime, take their measures accordingly. Placing a 

 sentinel at the mouth of the burrow, they force the inmate to evacuate the premises by 

 pouring a deluge of water into the hole, and as it rushes into the open air, it is seized 

 or struck down by the ready hand of the sentinel, 



