EGYPTIAN JERBOA. 
When reposing themselves, they sit on their 
knees, and sleep only during the day. Their 
dispositions are mild, and yet they can never 
be tamed beyond a certain point. They dig 
holes in the earth like rabbits, and in a much 
shorter time. About the end of summer, they 
lay up grain and herbage in their magazines ; 
where, in cold countries, they pass the winter.*' 
The Egyptian Jerboa, or Dipus j^^gyptius of 
Linnjeus, which ij the animal we have figured 
in the annexed print, is a species described by 
Pennant, as inhabiting *' Egypt, Barbary, Pa- 
lestine, the desarts between Bassora and Alep- 
po, the sandy trails between the Don and 
Volga, and the hills south of the Irtish, from 
Fort Janiyschera to the Seven Palaces, where 
the Altaic mountains begin. It is," he says, 
the Mus Sagitta of Pallas; the Mus Jaculus 
of Linnaeus ; as well as the Daman Israel, or 
Lamb of the Isiaclitcs, of the Arabs; and 
supposed to be the Saphan, or Coney, of Holy 
Writ, our Rabbit being unknown in the Holy 
Land. Dr. Shaw met with this species on 
Alount Libanus, but distinguishes it from the 
Jerboa. It is also the Mouse of Isaiah, Ixvi. 
17. 
