398 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



hind feet, taking- leaps of five or six feet from the 

 ground. 



It is a lively harmless animal, lives entirely on 

 vegetables, and burrows in the ground like a Rab- 

 bit. 



It is the Daman Israel of the Arabs, or Lamb of 

 Israel; and is supposed to be the Coney of holy writ, 

 our Rabbit being unknown in Palestine. It is also 

 the Mouse mentioned in Isaiah;* Achbar, in the 

 original, signifying a Jerboa. 



The Jerboa is easily tamed, is fond of warmth, 

 and seems to be sensible of the approach of bad 

 weather, by wrapping itself up close in hay. 



Among the Mongol Tartars, this animal is called 

 the Alaghtaaga. It is supposed to be the Two-footed 

 Mouse, and the Egyptian blouse of the ancients, 

 which were said to walk on their hind legs. 



It makes its nest of the finest and most delicate 

 herbage ; rolls itself up, with its head between 

 its thighs ; and sleeps during the winter, without 

 taking any nutriment. 



When pursued, it springs so nimbly, that its feet 

 scarcely seem to touch the ground. It does not go 

 straight forward, but turns here and there till it 

 gains a burrow, \vhere it quickly secretes itself. In 

 leaping, it carries its' tail stretched out; but in 

 standing or walking carries it in the form of an S, 

 the low^er part touching the ground. 



* Chap. Ixvi. ver. 17. 



