 MAMMALIA—JERBOA. 243 
THE JERBOA.! 
Tue 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 narrow 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 with 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 8, the lower part touching the ground. 
These little animals commonly conceal their hands, or fore feet, with 
their hair; so that they aré 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 ata 
time ; this they do with the greatest ease and swiftness, 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 gerboa, Desm. The genus Dipus has two upper and two lower incisors; ne 
canines; six or eight upper, and six lower molars. Molars simple, with tuberculous 
crowns; eyes large; ears long, pointed; posterior extremities much elongsted, with the 
number of toes variable, but having only one metatarsal bone; tail very long, tufted. ' 
. 
