884 5KBEBA. 
whiskers* Jarge* bright* black eyes/ very large 
ears* of a bright rose-colour* lined with long hair* 
and having their orifice so small as not to be visi- 
ble* probably covered with a valve or membrane ; 
its legs and feet are like those of a dog : its tail 
taper* with a black tip. 
Its colour is between a straw and a pale brown. 
Its length from the nose to the tail* ten inches : 
its ears three and a half ; its tail six ; its height 
not five. to 
It burrows in the sandy ground ; is so excessive- 
ly swift* that it is very rarely taken alive ; feeds 
on insects* especially locusts ; sits on its rump* 
and is very vigilant. It barks like a dog* but 
much shriller* and that chiefly in the night: it 
has never been observed to be sportive. One ©f 
them that was in the possession of the late Swedish 
consul at Algiers* who first introduced it to the 
knowledge of the naturalists of Europe* fed freely 
from ^he hand* and would A eat bread or boiled 
meat. 
Mr. Bruce affirms* that their true name is fennec. 
He kept several of them tame* and has furnished us 
with the following particulars. His favorite food 
was dates* or any other sweet fVuit ; he ate egg s 
with avidity* but would content himself with bread 
sweetened with honey or sugar. He watched a 
hind with his eyes* as if accustomed to such prey. 
He was very much afraid of a cat. In the day he 
was sleepy and unwilling to be handled* but active 
lathe night* and desirous to effect his escape. 
