ORDER RODENTIA. 77 



lateral toes*. They live in burrows, and fall into 

 a profound lethargy during the winter. 



The Gerboa, M. Sagitta, Buff. Supp. VI. xxxix. et xi. 



Has only three toes ; is of the size of a Rat ; a 

 clear fawn-colour above, white below ; the 

 tufts of the tail black, the end white. Inhabits 

 from Barbary to the North of the Caspian. 



The Alactaga, (M. Jaculus.) 



Has two small lateral toes ; the ears longer 

 than the preceding, but pretty nearly the same 

 colour. M. Pallas has observed three sizes, 

 from that of a Rabbit to that of a Rat. They 

 are perhaps so many species. They are all 

 found from Syria as far as the Eastern Ocean, 

 and the North of India. 

 We are obliged to separate from the Rats> and to 

 establish altogether as genera, the three following : 



The Rat-Moles, (Spalaoc, Guld.) 

 Have the same cheek-teeth as the Rats, the Ham- 



* The Mus Longipes of Lin. or Meridianus of Pallas, seems to 

 form a new subgenus. The Tamaracinus will probably be united 

 to it, if it be not a Dormouse. We have seen neither. It is also 

 probable that we must refer to it, the Gerbillus of Olivier. The M. 

 Canadensis of Pennant and Shaw, and the Dipus indicus*, Lin. 

 Trans. VIII. vii. These are the Gerbillus of Desmarest, and 

 Meriones of Illiger. 



Vol. III. H 



