ZOOLOGY. 



Genus— DIPUS, or JERBOA. Species— DIPUS 

 MUSCOLA. 



Genric Character. — Incisores or cutting teeth of an irregu- 

 lar number, the lower ones placed horizontally, a 

 wide open space standing between the incisores 

 and the grinders, the hind legs very long, gene- 

 rally three times as long as the fore legs, ears 

 rounded and projecting, body containing an out- 

 ward pouch for the young, placed like an apron 

 across the body. 



THE Dipus or Jerboa forms a very remarkable family 

 of Quadrupeds, and exists in most parts of the World ; in 

 Asia, Africa, and America, one of its strongest distinctions 

 is the singular length of its hinder legs, to which we may 

 add its pouch or apron for carrying its young, of which it 

 has generally two or three at a birth. 



Since the discovery of the extensive Continent of New 

 Holland, by Capt. Cooke, and other circumnavigators,, 

 various species of the Jerboa have been discovered in 

 great variety in that curious region of the Globe. Of these 

 the largest is the brown Kangaroo, the grey and buff kinds 

 being both much smaller and of different characters. Next 

 to these is the curious Animal called the Kangaroo Rat, 

 so well described in Governor Phillips's Journal of a 

 Voyage to New Holland. Last of all appears the present 

 little Animal, which is considerably larger than an English 

 Mouse, with all the striking characters of the Jerboa or 

 Kangaroo, and which has been not improperly called by 

 the Sailors, the Kangaroo Mouse . The number and size 

 of its teeth is not exactly known or hitherto examined ; and 

 it is supposed to be a very rare Animal even in its own 



