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DON COSSACKS. 
chap- and so much resembles the bear in its manner 
— ' and appearance, that, until we became ac- 
quainted with its real history, we considered 
it as a non-descript animal, and called it Ursa 
minima subterranea. Such mistakes are not 
uncommon in zoology. Naturalists frequently 
add to the nomenclature of animals by super- 
fluous appellations A beautiful little quadru- 
ped, called Jerboa in Egypt, has been described 
in other countries as a distinct animal, under 
the various names of Mus jaculus, Subterraneous 
Hare, Faulting Rat, Reaper, &c. &c. but it is 
the same creature everywhere, and bears to the 
kangaroo the same degree of relationship that 
a lizard has to the crocodile. We shall describe 
it more minutely hereafter. Our present 
business is with the Suroke ; this is seen in all 
parts of the steppes ; sitting erect, near to its 
burrow, whistling very loud upon the slightest 
alarm, and observing all around. It makes 
such extensive subterraneous chambers, that 
the ground is perforated in all directions, and 
the land is destroyed wheresoever this animal 
is found. Its colour is a greyish brown: it has 
five fingers upon each of its paws; these very 
much resemble human hands, and are used 
after the same manner. The mouth, teeth, and 
head, are like those of the squirrel ; but the ears 
are shorter. Its fine eyes are round, full, dark. 
