THE HAMSTER. 



(Cricetus vulgaris.) 



THE fat and comfortable-looking rodenj; termed 

 the hamster is widely diffused over the northern 

 parts of Europe, extending also into Siberia and 

 Chinese Tartary. In length a full-grown specimen 

 measures from twelve to sixteen inches, the legs are 

 short, and the whole form of the animal is stout 

 and compact. The tail barely exceeds an inch in 

 length, and looks more like a section of a large 

 earth-worm than anything else, as it is entirely 

 destitute of hair. The colour of the fur on the 

 back is greyish brown, tinged with rufous on the 

 sides, of the head. The under surface is of a deep 

 glossy black, and three large spots of white appear 

 on the cheeks and sides. The incisor teeth are 

 large and powerful, and the formation of the jaw 

 extremely massive, considering the size of the 

 animal. The hamster is also provided with large 

 cheek pouches, resembling those of some species of 



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