ORDEE OP EODENTIA. 



455 



make their abode in sandy districts, especially in the dunes along 

 the sea-coast. The most remarkable species is the Grreat Cape 

 Hole, which makes its runs so deep that horses have been known 

 to sink into them over their knees. It is about the size of a 

 Rabbit. An Abyssinian species, the Brilliant Mole-Rat, is thus 

 named on account of its coat, which is of a red colour, with 

 metallic reflections. This variety is not larger than a common 

 Rat. 



The Rhyzomys is a native of the dense baruboo forests in the 

 Malacca peninsula : it feeds on the roots and young shoots of this 

 vegetable. In size it is a little smaller than the Great Cape Mole. 



Fjg. 189. — Jerboa [Otpus egyptius). 



The animals of the group which foUows next are characterised 

 by the enormous disproportion between their fore and hind legs. 

 They are divided into two chief genera — ^the Jerboas, and the 

 Pedetes or Helamys. 



The Jerboa. Genus. — Jerboas (Fig, 189) are pretty little animals, 

 with a large head, prominent eyes, and wide ears. Their front 

 legs are very short, with only four toes at the extremities, fitted 

 for digging. The hind legs are five or six times longer than the 

 front ones, and are terminated by three or five toes, according to 

 the species. This kind of organisation recalls to mind that of the 

 Jerboa-Rats ; but in the present case the peculiarity is much 



