^^ THE HAMSTKR. SO? 



Crossing rivers. 



utmost joy and festivity, a successful chase and 

 fishery being always considered as its certain 

 consequence. 



Kerr informs us, that the Kamtschadales never 

 tiestroy the hoards of these rats. Sometimes, 

 indeed, they take away part of their store; but> 

 in return for this, they invariably leave some 

 caviare, or other food, to support them in its 

 *tead. 



The manner in which the economic rats, in 

 their foraging excursions, cross the rivers of Ice- 

 land, is thus described by Mr. Olaffen. " The 

 party, consisting of from six to ten, select a flat 

 piece of dried cow-dung; on which they place 

 the berries they have collected, in a heap in the 

 middle. Then, with their united force, drawing 

 it to the water's edge, they launch it, and em- 

 bark; placing themselves round the heap, with 

 their heads joined over it, and their backs to the 

 water, their tails pendent in the stream and serv- 

 ing the purpose of rudders." 



THE HAMSTER. 



THIS quadruped is about the size of a large 

 water-rat; but somewhat thicker. The colour 

 of the head and back is a reddish brown, some- 

 what like that of a hare. The throat is white, 

 and on each side of the body there are three 

 large oval white spots. On each side of the 



VOL. n. NO. xii. 2 o 



