185 



ALAGtAGA. 



t)ipiis Jaculus. D, cavda longissma apice pentiata nigro-alba, 

 ptdibtis posticis maximis pentadactylis. Pall. Glir.p. 87. and 

 275. Mus, 



Pale-brown Jerboa, white beneath, with extremely long perita- 

 dactyle hind-feet, and very long tail with subpennated black- 

 and-white tip. 



Siberian Jerboa. Fennant Qiiadr. 2. p. 166. 



Alagtaga. Buff. 13. 141. Schreb. satygtk. p, 842. 



In its general appearance this species perfectly 

 resembles the common or Egyptian Jerboa^ but is 

 considerably larger, though there appear to be 

 permanent varieties or races which are, on the 

 contrary^ much smaller than the common species. 

 It is principally distinguished by the remarkable 

 character of the hind feet, each of which has a 

 pair of very conspicuous spurs or additional toes^ 

 situated at some distance above the front toes, 

 and furnished with sharp claws. 



In the Leverian Museum is a very fine speci- 

 men of this animal, which has been figured in 

 Mr. Pennant's History of Quadrupeds. The co- 

 lour of the Siberian Jerboa or Alagtaga is nearly 

 the same as that of the Egyptian ; but there is no 

 appearance of the dusky band across the lower 

 part of the back, or any transverse undulations ; 

 the w^hole upper parts being of a pale yellowish 

 fawn-colour, and the under parts white. Its 

 length is about eight inches, and the tail ten. It 

 is found, according to Dr. Pallas, from the Cas- 

 pian sea to the river Irtish, but is no where very 



