. The illustrated natural history [microform]. Mammals; Natural history; Mammifères; Sciences naturelles. Mt '"'. UEHUOA,—/)i>«s . a second leap, it curves its tail into tiie peculiar form ^vhich is represented in the engraving, but straiohtens it in its aerial coiu'se. The (Jerboa is a burrowing animal, and lives in society, so that it forms large natural " warrens" in those parts of the country wliere it takes up its residence. It is much hunted by the natives, wlio set some store by its rather unpalatable flesh, and is captured by stopping up as many burrows as c
. The illustrated natural history [microform]. Mammals; Natural history; Mammifères; Sciences naturelles. Mt '"'. UEHUOA,—/)i>«s . a second leap, it curves its tail into tiie peculiar form ^vhich is represented in the engraving, but straiohtens it in its aerial coiu'se. The (Jerboa is a burrowing animal, and lives in society, so that it forms large natural " warrens" in those parts of the country wliere it takes up its residence. It is much hunted by the natives, wlio set some store by its rather unpalatable flesh, and is captured by stopping up as many burrows as can conveniently be reacheil, and killing the Gerboas as they rush afl'rightcd from the open entrances. This is, indeed, almost the only successful mode of capturnig these fleet and agile creatures ; for if they can once leap away from the immediate vicinity of their pursueis, they scour over the ground with such wonderful speed that they can hardly be overtaken even by a trained greyhound. Dry and sandy spots are in greatest favour with the Gerboa, which is better able to dif in such soils than in moist situations. Against the injurious effects of the hard and burnin° ground upon its feet it is guarded by a thick covering of stiff, bristly hairs, which defend the soles of the feet from injury, and, moreover, are useful in giving a firm hold upon the ground when the animal is in the act of making one of its extraordinary bounds. It is a lively and playful animal, delighting to bask itself in the sun near the entrance of its burrows, and to divert itself by occasional gambols with its companions. Although it makes these visits to the open air for the sake of enjoying the warm beams of the sun, the (ierboa is a nocturnal animal, and feeds only by night. IJy the united powers of its teeth and claws it can drive its tunnel through impediments which would Ijaflle any ordinary animal; for it can not oidy cut its way through the hardest sand, Ijut is (!ven able to gnaw a passage t
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, booksubjectmammals, booksubjectnaturalhistory
