ORDER RODENTIA. 143 



seem doubtful, and to admit none but what are perfectly 

 authenticated by the most exact observers. 



Among the species of this genus, the Gerbo, which is ex- 

 tremely common in Egypt, lives in troops, and digs bur- 

 rows. Without being very wild, it is of an unquiet charac- 

 ter. At the least noise it runs precipitately out of its hole. 

 It eats corn, nuts, roots, and all kind of fruits. The Alac- 

 taga lives in the same manner, but prefers cold and fertile 

 climates to the hot and sandy regions in which the Gerbo 

 chooses its retreats. It sleeps during the cold months of 

 winter at the bottom of its den. But the slightest degree 

 of heat is, sufficient to rouse it from its stupor. 



All the Gerboas carry their food to their mouth with their 

 hands or fore-paw, and accordingly they are claviculated. 

 They have also under the skin certain glands, analogous to 

 theThymus, with which other quadrupeds, which lethargize 

 at the approach of winter, and pass that season in a state 

 of stupor, are also provided. 



It appears difficult to keep these little animals in a state 

 of captivity, and still more to transport them to our cli- 

 mates. They gnaw the hardest wood with an extreme faci- 

 lity. 



We shall first notice the species which the Baron has 

 inserted in the Animal Kingdom, and then notice anything 

 that may be interesting in other species mentioned by 

 other naturalists. 



The first is the Gerboa, properly so called, or Gerbo, Jer- 

 boa, of Daman and Shaw. The Mus Egypticus, Hasel- 

 quist. Mus Jaculus, Ldnnseus, edit. 10 ; and a variety of 

 other synonymes, or misnomers, with which naturalists 

 have contrived to embarrass the subject as much as pos- 

 sible, but with which we shall forbear tormenting our 

 readers for the present. 



The Gerbo, confounded by Linnaeus and Buffbn with the 

 Alactaga or Mongul, is, however, totally distinct. Its size 



M2 



