34 



ZOOLOGY. 



A very docile tribe, particularly lethargic, of very similsf 

 habits with the last genus, but less active; food and nests 

 the same ; may frequently be found in their dormant state 

 in the decaying hollows of trees, together with quantities of 

 nuts, acorns, beech.mast, &c. which are hoarded by these 

 little animals, for food during wet and cold weather, as they 

 rarely quit their nests but when the sun shines warm. 



6. Dipus. Jerboa. Front teeth two in each jaw; fore legs 

 short, hinder ones very long; tail tufted at the tip. 



This is a very shy and timid genus, feeds entirely on Tege- 

 tables, they are exceedingly swift, and make such amazing 

 bounds as to bid defiance to all pursuit; like the last genus 

 they sleep during the winter, in burrows which they form, 

 extending many feet beneath the surface of the ground; at 

 the extremity of these they place their beds or nests, which 

 are composed of dry grass. In the cold weather they ar© 

 readily obtained, by digging them out of their dormitories j 

 they most usually prefer sandy plains, as this soil is easily 

 excavated. 



9. LepKs. Hare. Front teeth two, upper ones double^ 

 having two smaller ones placed at the interior bases of 

 the larger teeth. 



A timid persecuted tribe, being considered as animal 

 rather created for the diversion of the indolent, than as 

 filling up and forming a link in the great chain of nature : 

 perhaps in no country are these poor harmless animals mors 

 maltreated than in thiS; where they are considered as the 



