474 THE SIBERIAN JERBOA. 



of the cage lined with tin. They were fond of 

 basking in the sun ; and the moment they were put 

 in the shade, they clung to each other, and seemed, 

 to suffer from the privation of warmth. They did 

 not usually sleep during the day. Though they had 

 much agility in their movements, gentleness and 

 tranquillity seemed to form their character. They 

 suffered themselves to be stroked with great compo- 

 sure ; and never made a noise or quarrelled, even 

 when food was scattered among them. No distin- 

 guishing symptoms of joy, fear, or gratitude were dis- 

 coverable : and even their gentleness was by no 

 means either amiable or interesting ; it appeared the 

 effect of a cold and complete indifference, approach- 

 ing to stupidity. Three of these died, before Son- 

 nini left Alexandria ; two died on a rough passage to 

 the island of Rhodes ; and the last was lost, and, as 

 he supposes, devoured by Cats, while he was at the 

 island. 



He says it is very difficult to transport these ten- 

 der little creatures into other climates : but as an in- 

 dispensable precaution to those who attempt it, he 

 advises that they be close shut up in strong cages, 

 or other conveniences, witliout any possibility of 

 escaping; for their natural disposition inciting them 

 to gnaw whatever comes in their way, they may 

 occasion very considerable damage to a ship in the 

 course of her voyage ; and, being able to cat 

 through the hardest wood, may even endanger her 

 sinking *. 



* Sonnini, i. 2C2. 



