Jerboa is a generic name, which we make use of 
to denote those remarkable animals whose legs are ex* 
fcremely disproportionate ; those before being very short, 
and the hind ones very long. The head is sloped some- 
what in the manner of a rabbit, but the eyes are larger* 
and the ears short and naked, though elevated and open 
with respect to the size. Its nose and hair are of a flesh 
colour ; its mouth short and thick ; the orifice of the 
mouth very narrow, the upper jaw very full, the lower 
narrow and short, the teeth like those of a rabbit ; the 
mustachoes are composed of long black and white hairs ; 
the fore feet are very short, and never touch the ground ; 
they are furnished with four claws, which are only used 
as hands, to carry the food to the animal’s mouth ; the 
hind feet have but three daws, the middle one longer 
than the other two. When they move from one place to 
another, they do not advance one foot before the other, 
but jpmp, or bound about four or five feet at a time ; 
this they do with the greatest ease and swiftness, hold- 
ing ibemselves erect like bird, when they hop on the 
ground. They rest themselves in, a kneeling posture, 
and only sleep in the day ; in the night-time they seek 
their food like hares, and like them they feed on grass, 
corn, and other grain. They are of a gentle nature, 
but not to be tapied beyond a certain limit. 
