HAMSTER. 73 



nished with a capacious pouch in the inside of each 

 cheek, they collect together, and carry off to their 

 hoards vast quantities of grain. These pouches are so 

 capacious, that as many beans have been taken out of 

 the mouth of one Hamster, as, when placed in a heap, 

 were nearly thrice the size of the animal's body. Ham- 

 sters live under the surface of the ground, and have 

 several distinct cavities to each burrow ; as many, it is 

 said, as there are individuals of the family. They are tor- 

 pid during the winter ; and their store of provisions is a 

 wise contrivance of the Creator, for their nourishment, 

 previously to, and after the conclusion of their long 

 winter's sleep. Many of the German peasants are known 

 to derive a great part of their subsistence from finding 

 out and plundering these granaries. The Hamster is a 

 very irritable animal. He unsparingly attacks any crea- 

 ture which, in the slightest degree, seeks to annoy him ; 

 and, ignorant of the art of saving himself by flight, he 

 will even suffer himself to be beaten in pieces with a 

 stick, rather than yield. Hamsters oftentimes attack each 

 other, and it is stated that the victor always devours his 

 opponent 



The size of the Hamster is nearly that of our common 

 rat ; but his general form is much thicker, and the tail is 

 not more than three inches long. The ears are large and 

 rounded. When the cheek-pouches are filled, they ap- 

 pear, on each side of the head, like tumid bladders : 

 when empty, they are not at all visible externally. The 

 colour of the body is reddish-brown above, and black 

 beneath. The sides are reddish, and marked with three 

 white spots. 



