JERBOA. 
301 
teresting ; it appeared to him to be merely the effect 
of a cold and complete indifference, approaching to 
stupidity. 
In a wild state they are said to be particularly 
fond of tulips ; and feed, about the lake Baikal, on 
the bulbs of the lilium pomponium. They are sup- 
posed to bring forth about eight young at a time, 
and to sleep the whole winter without nutriment. 
It is the opinion of Mr. Pennant, that animals of this 
genus were the two-footed mice, and the Egyptian 
mice, of the antients, which were said to walk on 
their hind-legs, and use their fore-feet instead of 
hands. In support of this opinion he has figured 
a gold coin, on the reverse of which appears the jer- 
boa at the bottom of the plant sylphium, which, to- 
gether, were used to denote the country of Cyrene, 
where both were found. 
The Arabs reckon their flesh a delicacy, and are 
very expert in digging them out of their holes. 
We are indebted to major-general Davies for a 
new species of jerboa, about the size of a small 
mouse, which he caught, after an hour’s hard chase, 
in a field near the falls of Montmorenci. He has 
named it the jumping mouse of Canada, dipus ca- 
nadensis, and assures us that its activity was so 
great, that, although assisted by three other gentle- 
men, he could not take it till it was thoroughly 
fatigued. The General observes that it took pro- 
gressive leaps, of three, four, and sometimes five 
yards, though seldom above twelve or fourteen 
inches above the surface of the grass. In woods and 
