NATURAL HISTORY OF THE HAMSTER. 479 



hair is just beginning to appear, these bristly spots are dis- 

 tinctly visible from their blackish colour, the hair being there 

 in a more advanced state and of a stronger nature. These 

 spots may also be perceived on the flesh-side of the skin, by 

 the roots of their stiff hairs : at a later period the relation is 

 inverted, the rest of the body becoming covered with denser 

 and longer hairs, so as to make these spots appear paler on 

 the flesh-side of the skin. The physiological cause of these 

 spots it is difficult to point out, the skin being there of the 

 same thickness and consistency, and not more firmly attached 

 than anywhere else. As to their end, Dr. Sulzer, whose ex- 

 cellent observations on the hamster were published in 1774, 

 confessed that he could not imagine what it might be. Agri- 

 cola was aware of their existence, but did not trouble himself 

 about knowing their purpose, as he took them for the effect 

 of an accidental cause. In treating on the hamster, he says, 

 " In terrae cavernis habitat angustis, et idcirco pellis, qua 

 parte utrimque coxam tegit, a pilis est nuda." — (De re metal- 

 lica et animalia subterran. Basil, 1657, folio, p. 486). In 

 my opinion, the end of these spots is very evident, as they 

 appear destined to protect, by their bristly hair which lies 

 close to the skin, the very portions of the latter which would 

 be most exposed to being chafed in the burrows, on account 

 of the proximity of the hip-bones, if left without some special 

 defence. The furriers know these spots very well, and are 

 obliged to cut them out and repair the fur, lest it should look 

 unseemly. 



Habitat, Habits, 8$c. — The hamster is met with in the 

 whole tract of countries extending between the Rhine and 

 the Ural mountains, and between the German sea and Baltic 

 to the north, and the Danube to the south, wherever it finds 

 its congenial soil. It is said also to exist in Siberia, but is 

 nowhere more common than in Thuringia. Its proper soil is 

 a deep alluvial mould, with a substratum of clay ; districts 

 where the ground is dry, strong, and stony, have nothing to 

 fear from the ravages of the hamster. In the former descrip- 

 tion of land it is sometimes found even on the slope of low 

 hills, but there it never multiplies to any extent. 



Daily course from the beginning of March to the middle 

 or end of October, (the period of active life). — During the 

 day the hamster sits in its burrow, rolled up like a ball, with 

 the head bent under the chest ; so at least we must conclude 

 from the observation of specimens kept in captivity. About 

 sunset the animal begins its first ramble, which lasts till about 

 midnight, when it rests till an hour before sunrise, in order to 

 take then a second ramble, which it continues until the glare 



