RODENT QUADRUPEDS. 



Fig. 56. Egyptian Jerboa. 



country at the time of the Revolution in the foreign 

 ships. 



119. The Jerboas are singular animals, making an aber- 

 rant genus of this family. They have long tails with 



tufted ends, and long 

 hind legs, which en- 

 able them to make 

 enormous leaps. The 

 Egyptian Jerboa, 

 Fig. 56, is about the 

 size of a large rat. 



120. Of the Bea- 

 ver family, the com- 

 mon Beaver, Fig. 57, 

 so well known in Can- 

 ada and the northern 

 part of the United 

 States, is the type 

 species. It is distin- 

 guished from all the 

 other Rodents by its 

 flat and scaly tail. 

 V\ Its hind feet are 

 \ webbed, and with 

 these and its tail it is 

 expert in swimming. 

 Its incisor teeth are 

 large and uncom- 

 monly hard, and with 

 Fig. 57. Beaver. them it can divide a 



common walking-stick at a bite with as clean a cut as 

 that of a hatchet. Like the Seal ( 101), it can close its 

 ears and nostrils when it dives into the water. Beavers 

 are very celebrated for the skill with which they build 

 their dams and habitations, which they always do in 

 companies. 



121. The common Porcupine, Fig. 58 (p. 72), is found 



/;/ 



