286 MAMMALIA. GLIRES. Afhkoko. 



fembles the Marmot and Cavy ; in the conformation of its toes it has fome analogy with the Mau- 

 cauco ; but from the circumftances of the teeth it cannot be ranked with the laft ; and the peculia^- 

 rity of the feet has caufed Dr Gmelin to feparate it from both of the former. 



6zt 2. Syrian Afhkoko. — 2. Hyrax fyriacus. 2. 



Has foft tender nails on all the toes. Schreber, iv. t. ccxi. Br 

 Afhkoko. Bruce, AbyfT. v. 139. and fig. 



Inhabits Syria and Ethiopia. — The body of this fpecies is more lengthened than that of the for- 

 mer, and the fnout more oblong. The far is of a reddifli grey colour, like that of the Wild Rab- 

 bit, the throat, breaft, and belly, being white ; all over the body a number of long, ftrong, and po- 

 lifhed hairs, are fcattered among the fur : The body and head of the individual defcribed by Mr 

 Bruce meafured feventeen inches ; the ears are broad, open, and rounded ; each fide of the mouth is 

 garnifhed with long whifkers ; in walking, which is performed creeping low with the belly almoft 

 touching the ground, the hind feet are ufed as far as the heel; all the toes have fhort, broad, weak, 

 flat nails, except the inner toe of the hind foot, which is provided with a flat crooked nail fome- 

 what longer than the reft ; the foles of the feet are formed of flefhy naked protuberances, divided 

 by furrows. It lives moftly about the mouths of caves or clefts in rocks, is gregarious, feeds entire- 

 ly on vegetables, is mild, feeble, timid, and eafily tamed, and has no voice or cry. Mr Bruce is of 

 opinion that this animal is the Gannim, or Daman Ifrael, of the Arabs, and the Saphan of facred 

 fcriptures, which has erroneoufly been tranflated the Rabbit. Its flefh is very white, but is not eaten 

 by the Abyfftnians or Mahometans. The fame celebrated traveller is of opinion that it ruminates, 

 er chews the cud. 



