•240 MAMMALIA — HAMSTER. 



red eyes ; but whether they be a permanent kind, or only an accidental 

 variety, cannot well be determined. 



But for its immense fecundity, the species of the mouse could not subsist. 

 Even in mouse-traps they have been known to bring forth. They produce 

 at all seasons, and several times in the year. Their usual number at a 

 birth is five or six ; and these, in less than fifteen days, attain growth and 

 strength sufficient to run about and shift for themselves. 



THE HAMSTER. 1 



This animal, which is also called the German marmot, is about the size 

 of the brown rat, but much thicker. Its color is reddish brown above, and 

 black beneath; there are three large oval white spots on each side of the 

 body. The ears are somewhat large. But the peculiarity which distin- 

 guishes it is, that there are two pouches, or receptacles for food, on eacn 

 side of its mouth. These are not conspicuous externally, when empty; 

 but, when distended, they resemble a pair of tumid bladders, with a smooth, 

 veiny surface, which the fur of the cheeks conceals. The pouches of one 

 which Dr Russel dissected, were found stuffed with French beans, arranged 

 lengthways, in such compact and accurate order, that it was exceedingly 

 difficult to conceive how they had been so placed. When loosely laid on a 

 table, they formed a heap thrice the bulk of the animal's body. Austria, 

 Silesia, and some parts of Germany, are their native places. 



The hamster is one of the most famous and most pernicious rats that 

 exists. " We have fed one of these animals for many months," says BufFon, 

 " and afterwards had it dissected, and observed, that the hamster resembled 

 more the water rat, than any other animal ; it resembled it, also, in the 

 smallness of its eyes, and the fineness of its hair ; but its tail is not so long 

 as that of a water rat ; but, on the contrary, it is much shorter than that 

 of the short tailed mouse. All these animals live under the earth, and 

 seem to be animated with the same instinct. They have nearly the same 

 habits, and particularly that of collecting corn, &c, and making great maga- 

 zines in their holes." 



1 Cricetus vulgaris, Desm. The genus Cricetus has two upper and two lower inci- 

 sors ; no canines; six upper and six lower molars. Crown of the molars with blunt 

 tubercles ; fore feet with four toes, and a rudimentary thumb ; hind feet pentadactyle, 

 with strong- nails ; tail short and hairy ; cheek pouches. 



