94 SKETCH OF THE HISTORY OF MAMMALIA. 



55.— Canada Sand- Rat. 



Dr. Richardson observes that the sand-rats burrow in 

 sandy soils, and feed on acorns, nuts, roots, and grass, 

 which they convey to their burrows in their cheek- 

 pouches (Fig, 56) ; they throw up little mounds of 

 earth, like mole-hills, in summer, but are not seen abroad 

 in the winter season ; speaking of the Columbia sand- 

 rat, he observes, that when in the act of emptying its 

 pouches it sits up like a marmot or squirrel, and squeezes 

 the sacks against its breast with its fore-paws and chin. 

 These animals commit great havoc on the potato-fields. 

 The Canada sand-rat is known only from Dr. Shaw's 

 description (in the ' Linnsean Transactions,' vol. v., p. 

 227) of a specimen in Mr. Bullock's Museum, and which 

 afterwards passed into the hands of M. Temminck. 

 There is no specimen in any of our museums ; nor did 

 Dr. Richardson see the animal in his expedition. It 



