THE 



SIB1RI AN JERBOA. 



Generic Character. 



Two long cutting teeth in each jaw. 

 Fore Legs very (hort : hind legs very long. 



Specific Character, &c. 



JERBOA with a pair of fpurious toes on each 

 hind foot. 



SIBIRIAN JERBOA. 



Penna?it Quadr. p. 429. 



The Jerboa is remarkable for the ftrange difpropor- 

 tion between the length of the fore legs and the hind 

 ones ; the former being fo very Ihort as to be of no ufe 

 to the animal in walking, while the latter are fo long as 

 to equal the whole body. In confequence of this pe- 

 culiar formation, the creature ftands and refts on its 

 hind legs only, and makes no other ufe of the fore legs 

 than to hold its food, and draw down the ftems of 

 wheat and other vegetables on which it feeds, and to 

 fcratch the ground in order to form its burrows. It 

 has the general actions and attitudes of a bird, and the 

 legs are covered thinly with Ihort hair, and very much 

 refemble thofe of birds. The tail is very long and ter- 

 minates in a tuft. 



Q 2 There 



