GERBILLUS AURICULARIS. 
of enamel, the second and third portions have somewhat the form of the Greek 
letter /3, each portion with two rounded or oval cavities edged with enamel ; the 
second molar of the upper jaw has the crown divided transversely into two 
parts, each of which is similarly formed to the two last described portions of 
the first molar ; the second molar of the lower jaw similarly divided, but not 
exhibiting a resemblance to the letter /3 ; the anterior portion with a slight 
transverse /ossa at the summit, the last portion convex : the third molar of the 
upper jaw, small cylindrical, and with a cup-shaped cavity at its apex, which is 
surrounded by enamel ; the third molar of the lower jaw consists of a simple 
transverse lamina, without any cavity at its apex which is convex like the 
last portion of the second molar of the same jaw. Temporal bullce large, 
hemispherical and semi-transparent. 
DIMENSIONS. 
Inches. Lines. 
Length from the point of the nose to 
the base of the tail 4 10 
of the tail 3 3 
Distance between the tip of the nose 
and the eye 0 8 
Inches. Lines. 
Distance betwen the eye and the ear . 0 4 
Length of the ear 0 3 
of the tarsus of hind legs 0 7 
Height when standing 2 1 
The female (figure B) differs a little in colour from the male ; the upper parts 
of the head, together with the back and sides, are intermediate between yel- 
lowish brown, and sienna yellow, and all of these parts are variegated as in 
the male with short delicate strife but of a deeper colour ; the extent of white 
over the eyes is greater and the post-auricular tufts of white hair are smaller ; 
in other respects the two sexes appear much alike. 
The shortness of the tail and the tuft or fringe of white hair behind each ear constitute 
characters by which this animal is easily distinguished from the other species of the genus. It 
never occurs, so far as I know, within three hundred miles of Cape Town, and all the specimens 
which I have seen were procured in the western districts of the continent, principally north of the 
Orange river. It is said to be of migratory habits, and seldom to remain for any length of 
time in one locality ; it flits generally, if not always, during the night, and forms its burrows 
in the new districts under cover of the darkness. It generally selects an open grassy plot 
for its residence, and if such a spot is to be found in the neighbourhood of brushwood, that 
appears to be invariably preferred. Its food consists of small insects, &c. 
