T H E R A T K I N D. 103 



refide feveral families toflielter themfelves from the feafon j but they do 

 jvot lay up magazines of provifion. They form a kind of covert way 

 to and round their dwelling, from whence they iflue to procure water 

 and roots, upon which they fubfift. During winter their houfes are 

 eight or ten feet deep in fnow. During fummer they feparate two by 

 two, and feed on roots and vegetables. They then become extremely 

 fat, and are fought after, as well for their flefh as their Ikins. 



THE HAMSTER 



GReatly refembles the water-rat in fize, fmall eyes, and the fhort- 

 nefs of its tail ; is rather browner, the belly and ^-legs a dirty yel- 

 low i is diftinguilhed by two pouches on each fide its jaw, under the 

 fkin, into which it crams provifion, which it carries home for winter (lore. 

 Thefe are oblong, the fize of a large walnut. They open into the mouth. 



Its hole is generally on an inclining ground, always has two en- 

 trances, one perpendicular, the other oblique ; (if there be many in a 

 family* there are fo many perpendicular holes.) The perpendicular hole 

 is the door. Within about"^ foot of this are two more, containing pro- 

 vifions. There is another apartment warmly lined with grafs and ftraw, 

 where the female brings forth. Thefe communicate with each other, 

 and all together take up a fpace of ten or twelve feet in diameter. 

 Thefe animals ftore up dry corn well cleaned, or in the ear, beans and 

 peas in the pod. They begin to ftore in Auguft; as each magazine is 

 filled, they carefully cover it with earth, fo neatly, that it is not eafy to 

 difcover where the earth has been moved ; their retreats are found by 

 obferving the oblique entrancej which generally has a fmali quantity of 

 earth before it ; and this, though often feveral yards from their home^ 

 condu(5ts the fkilful to the dilcovery. Many German peafants make a 

 livelihood by thefe hoards, which, in a fruitful feafon, often furnifli two 

 bufhels of good grain each. 



They produce twice or thrice a year, and bring five or fix. In moid 

 feafons, their devaftations produce a famine. Like the reft of their kind, 

 deftroy each other. Their fur is valuable j the natives are invited by 

 rewards to deftroy them, and the weafel kind feconds their efforts. 



No. 2j. T THE 



