EGYPTIAN JERBOA, 
marks of Dr. Shaw, who had an opportunity 
of comparing it with the Jerboa, and speaks 
of them as two distinct species. *' The Da- 
man," savs this author, *' is hkewlse an ani- 
mal of Mount Libanus, though common in 
other places of this country. It is a harmless 
creature, of the same size and quality as the 
rabbit; and with the like incurvating posture 
and disposition of the fore teeth. But it is of 
a browner colour, with smaller eyes, and a 
head more pointed, like the Marmots. 1'he 
fore feet likewise are short, and the hinder are 
nearly as long in proportion as those of the 
Jerboa. Tliough this animal is known to 
burrow sometimes in the ground; yet, as it*s 
usual residence and refuge are in the holes and 
clifts of the rocks, v/e have so far a more 
presumptive proof, that this creature may ra- 
ther be the Suphan of the Scriptures, than the 
Jerboa. 1 could not learn, why it was called 
Daman Israel, i. e. Israel's Lamb, as tlicse 
tvords are interpreted." Prosper Alpinus, 
who mentioned this animal before Dr. Shaw, 
szys that it*s flesh makes excellent eating, and 
that it is larger than the r'uronean rabbit. But 
this last fadl; BufFon adds, appears to be sus- 
]^icious: 
