THE COMMON DORMOUSE 1277 



verse folds of enamel. The claws on the feet are short, and the first toe in the fore- 

 foot is rudimentary. 



THE COMMON DORMOUSE 

 Genus Muscardimis 



The common dormouse {Muscardinus avellanarius} is the sole representative 

 of the group inhabiting the British Isles, and is the type of a distinct genus. This 



THE COMMON DORMOUSE. 

 (Four-fifths natural size.) 



tiny little animal, which is about equal in size to the common mouse, is so familiar 

 to most persons from being commonly kept as a pet by children, that any descrip- 

 tion seems almost superfluous. It is, however, particularly characterized by the 

 cylindrical form of the long and somewhat bushy tail; while internally it is dis- 

 tinguished from all its kindred by the complex structure of the anterior portion of 

 its stomach. Its cheek-teeth have flattened grinding surfaces, with the folds of 

 enamel arranged in a complex manner. 



This dormouse has a rather large head, and a thick, compact body; the muzzle 

 is somewhat pointed, and the ears are about a third the length of the head. The 



