ORDER OF RODENTIA. 
4:55 
make their abode in sandy districts, especially in the dunes along 
the sea-coast. The most remarkable species is the Great Cape 
Mole, which makes its runs so deep that horses have been known 
to sink into them oyer their knees. It is about the size of a 
Babbit. An Abyssinian species, the Brilliant Mole-Bat, is thus 
named on account of its coat, which is of a red colour, with 
metallic reflections. This variety is not larger than a common 
Bat. 
The Bhyzomys is a native of the dense bamboo forests in the 
Malacca peninsula : it feeds on the roots and young shoots of this 
vegetable. In size it is a little smaller than the Great Cape Mole. 
Fig. 189. — Jerboa ( Dipus egyptius ). 
The animals of the group which follows next are characterised 
by the enormous disproportion between their fore and hind legs. 
They are divided into two chief genera — the Jerboas, and the 
Pedetes or Helamys. 
The Jerboa Genus . — Jerboas (Fig.. 189) are pretty little animals, 
with a large head, prominent eyes, and wide ears. Their front 
legs are very short, with only four toes at the extremities, fitted 
for digging. The hind legs are five or six times longer than the 
front ones, and are terminated by three or five toes, according to 
the species. This kind of organisation recalls to mind that of the 
Jerboa-Bats ; but in the present case the peculiarity is much 
