Xerus (zerus)

[NL. (Hemprich and Ehrenberg), so called from the character of the fur; African Ground-squirrel (Xerus rutilans). rels, having dry, harsh fur, which in some cases is bristly and even spiny. They are of more or le terrestrial and fo orial habits, like spermophiles. The species are few. The best-known is X. rutilans, 11 inches long, the tail 9 more, and of a reddish-yellow color above, paler or whitish below. The red-footed is X. erythropus. Xestia (zes'ti-ä), n. [NL. (Hübner, 1816),