ALAGTAGA. 



187 



they are extremely nimble, and on the approach 

 of danger spring forward so swiftly, that a man 

 well mounted can scarcely overtake them. They 

 are said to be particularly fond of the roots of 

 tulips^ and some other bulbous-rooted plants. 

 They are supposed to sleep during the winter in 

 the manner of Dormice. 



The largC;, or middle variety of this species ap- 

 pears to be figured by Aldrovandus, under the 

 title of Ciiniculus Indicus Utias dictus. 



It is possible that Mr. Bruce's description may 

 refer to the same animal, since he expressly af- 

 firms, that the hind feet have four toes besides a 

 spur. His figure, however, does not represent 

 this particular distinctly, and is besides marked 

 across the lower part of the back by the dusky 

 band or crescent, which generally appears on the 

 Common Jerboa. 



Mr. Bruce tells us, tliat there is little variety 

 in tlie animal, either in size or colour ; but that 

 towards Aleppo they have broader noses than the 

 African ones ; that their bodies are thicker, and 

 their colour lighter. 



*^ The Arabs of the kingdom of Tripoli (says 

 Mr. Bruce) make very good diversion with the 

 Jerboa, in training their greyhounds, which they 

 employ to hunt the Gazel or Antelope, after in- 

 structing him to turn himself by hunting this 

 animal. The Prince of Tunis, son of Sidi Younis, 

 and grandson of Ali Bey, who had been strangled 

 by the Algerines when that capital was taken, 

 being tlien an exile at Algiers, made me a present 



