WPPENDEX -A, 
FAMILY MYOXIDA—THE DORMICE. 
THESE small rodents approximate more to the squirrels than the true mice; 
but they differ from all others intestinally by the absence of a czcum. 
They have four rooted molars in each upper and lower jaw, the first of each 
set being smaller than the other three, the crowns being composed of 
transverse ridges of enamel. In form they are somewhat squirrel-like, with 
short fore-limbs, and hairy, though not bushy, tails. The thumb is rudi- 
mentary, with a small, flat nail; hind-feet 
with five toes. 
The common English dormouse is a most 
charming little animal, and a great pet with 
children. I have had several, and possess 
a pair now which are very tame. They are 
elegant little creatures, about three inches 
long, with tails two and a-half inches ; soft 
deep fur of a pale reddish-tawny above, pale 
yellowish-fawn below, and white on the 
chest. The eyes are large, lustrous, and 
jet-black. The tails of some are slightly 
tufted at the end. They are quite free from 
the objectionable smell of mice. In their 
habits they are nocturnal, sleeping all day 
and becoming very lively at night. I feed 
mine on nuts, and give them a slice of apple 
every evening; no water to drink, unless 
succulent fruits are not to be had, and then 
sparingly. The dormouse in its wild state lives on fruits, seeds, nuts and buds. 
In cold countries it hibernates, previous to which it becomes very fat. It 
makes for itself a little globular nest of twigs, grass, and moss, pine-needles, 
and leaves, in which it passes the winter in a torpid state. “The dormouse 
lives in small societies in thickets and hedgerows, where it is as active in its 
way amongst the bushes and undergrowth as its cousin the squirrel upon 
the larger trees. Among the small twigs and branches of the shrubs and 
small trees the dormice climb with wonderful adroitness, often, indeed, 
hanging by their hind feet from a twig, in order to reach and operate ona 
fruit or a nut which is otherwise inaccessible, and running along the lower 
surface of a branch with the activity and certainty of a monkey” (Dad/as). 
Dentition of Dormouse 
(magnified). 
