THE LEROT. 



S9 1 



- THERE are many species of Jerboidae inhabiting different countries, all of which are 

 very similar in shape and habits. Among these may be noticed the ALACTAGA, or 

 Jumping Rabbit of Siberia, and the GERBILLES of Africa and India. 



NEXT in order to the Gerboas is placed the small group of animals which are suffi- 

 ciently familiar by the name of Dormice. This term signifies " Sleepy Mouse," and is 

 most appropriate to the lethargic little creatures, which spend the greater part of their 

 time in somnolency. One of these animals, the LOIRE, or FAT DORMOUSE, is cele- 

 brated in classical literature as being in great request among the luxurious Romans as 

 an article of diet. For this purpose the Loire was carefully fattened, being placed in 

 certain receptacles, which were called Glirara, from the Latin word glis, which signifies 

 a dormouse. The Loire is found in almost all the warmer portions of Europe, but is 

 seldom seen at any great elevation above the level of the sea. 



The LEROT, or GARDEN DORMOUSE, inhabits the same localities as the Loire, but its 

 flesh is not eatable like that of the Fat Dormouse, although it resembles it very nearly 

 in every point but size. 



The total length of this animal is rather more than eight inches, of which measurement 

 the tail occupies three inches. The general color of its fur is gray, deeply tinged with 

 red upon the back, arid becoming white 

 upon the abdomen. Below the eye is a 

 patch of black fur, which extends nearly 

 to the ears. The tail of the Lerot is 

 covered with short black hair, changing 

 rather abruptly into white at its extremity. 

 It has derived its title of Garden Dormouse 

 from its annoying habit of entering gardens 

 and making sad havoc of the choicest 

 fruit ; for it is an animal of great taste, 

 and makes its selection among the ripest 

 and best fruits with an accuracy of judg- 

 ment that may be highly agreeable to it- 

 self, but is sincerely execrated by the 

 owner of the garden. It is particularly 

 fond of espalier-trained fruit-trees, and is 

 much given to devouring the peaches when 

 they are just in their bloom of rosy per- 

 fection. 



The Lerot is not content with making 

 these autumnal raids upon the gardens, 

 but is sufficiently provident to lay up a 

 store of food for the winter, and for that 

 purpose to carry off corn, peas, and beans 

 in no small quantity. Its winter nest is 

 made in some convenient recess, where six or eight Lerots congregate, and pass the 

 cold wintry months in a slumber which is almost unbroken, except by the needful 

 occasional wakings for the purpose of taking food. In summer time it makes a tem- 

 porary nest in hollow trees, holes in old walls, or in similar localities, and reposes during 

 the daytime upon a bed of dried grass and leaves. Sometimes it is so bold that it will 

 make its way into human habitations, and establish itself in the very home of the 

 justly incensed owner of the garden. 



The young Lerots enter upon their existence in the middle of summer, and grow with 

 wonderful rapidity. They do not, however, become parents in their turn until the fol- 

 lowing year. The average number of young Lerots which are produced at a single 

 birth is from four to six. 



LEROT. Myoxus querclnus. 



