MAMMALIA-JERBOA. 243 



THE JERBOA. 1 



The head of the jerboa is sloped somewhat in the manner of a rabbit ; but 

 the eyes are larger, and the ears shorter, though elevated and open, with 

 respect to its size ; its nose and hair are of a flesh color, its mouth short and 

 thick, the orifice of the mouth very narrow, the upper jaw very full, the 

 lower narrov^r and short, the teeth like those of the rabbit ; the whiskers 

 are composed of long black and white hairs ; the fore feet are very short, 



and never touch the ground ; they are furnished with four claws, which are 

 only used as hands to carry the food to the animal's mouth ; the hind feet 

 have but three claws, the middle one longer than the other two. The tail 

 is three times as long as its body, and is covered with short stubborn hair, 

 of the same color as that on the back, but tufted at the end with longer and 

 softer hair ; the legs, nose, and eyes are bare, and of a flesh color. The 

 upper part of the head and back are covered Avith an ash colored hair ; the 

 sides, throat, and belly are whitish ; and below the loins, and near the tail, 

 there is a large, black, transversal band, in form of a crescent. While 

 leaping, the jerboa stretches out its tail, but while standing or walking, it 

 carries it in the form of an S, the lower part touching the ground. 



These little animals commonly conceal their hands, or fore feet, with 

 their hair; so that they are said by some to have only hinder feet. When 

 they move from one place to another, they do not walk, that is, advance 

 one foot before the other, but jump, or bound, about four or five feet at a 

 time ; this they do with the greatest ease and SAviftness, holding themselves 

 erect, after the manner of birds, when they hop on the ground. Instead, 

 however, of proceeding straight forward, it jumps first to one side, and then 

 to the other. Such is its agility, that even a greyhound can scarcely kill it. 

 They rest themselves in a kneeling posture, and only sleep in the day. In 

 the night-time, they seek for their food like hares, and, like them, feed on 

 grass, corn, and other grain. They are of a gentle nature, but not to be 



1 Dipus jerboa, Desm. The genus Dipus has two upper and tv/o lower incisors; no 

 canines ; six or eisrht upper, and six lower molars. Molars simple, with tuberculous 

 crowns ; eyes large ; ears long, jjointed ; posterior extremities much elongated, with the 

 number of toes variable, but havmg only one metatarsal bone ; tail very long, tufted. 



