FENNEC; OR, ZERBA. 
Atlas ; is called, by the Moors, Zerda ; bur- 
rows in the sandy ground, which shews the 
use of the valves to the ears ; is so excessively 
swift, that it is very rarely taken alive; feeds 
on insedls, especially Locusts ; sits on it's 
rump; is very vigilant; barks like a Dog, but 
much shriller, and that chiefly in the night; 
and never is observed to be sportive. Dr. 
Sparman suspe6ts, that he saw it during his 
travels in CafFraria. We are indebted to 
Mr. Eric Skioldebrand, the late Swedish 
Consul at Algiers, for our knovvledge of this 
singular animal. He never could procure 
but one alive, which escaped before he exa- 
mined it's teeth. The genus is very uncertain. 
The form of the head, and legs, and some of 
it's manners, determined us to place it here.'* 
[Among the Dog species.] " That which was 
in possession of Mr. Skioldebrand, fed freely 
from the hand, and would eat bread or boiled 
meat. Mr. Skioldebrand had a drawing made 
of the animal ; and we are informed, that he 
communicated a copy of it to Mr, Bruce, at 
that time the British Consul at Algiers. This 
is a secret betrayed by Dr. Sparman ; which, 
brina's on him the wrath of Mr, Bruce, ex- 
pressed. 
