t08 NATUKALISTS CABINET. 



Habitations. 



mouth are two receptacles for food : which, 

 when empty, are so far contracted, as not to ap- 

 pear externally ; but when filled, they resemble 

 a pair of tumid bladders, with a smooth veiny 

 surface, which is concealed by the fur of the 

 cheeks. The ears are large, and the tail short 

 and almost naked. The hair, according to Mr. 

 Ray, is so closely united to the skin, that it can- 

 not be pulled off without great difficulty. These 

 animals live under ground, burrowing down ob- 

 liquely. At the end of their passage, the male 

 ginks one perpendicular hole; and the female se- 

 veral, sometimes seven or eight. At the extre- 

 mity of these are formed various vaults,; either as 

 lodges for themselves and young, or as store- 

 houses for their food. Each young one has its 

 separate apartment; and each sort of grain its 

 appropriate vault: the former are lined with 

 straw or grass. The vaults are of different 

 depths, according to the age of the animals. A 

 young hamster makes them scarcely a foot deep ; 

 an old one sinks them to the depth of four or 

 five feet. The whole diameter of the habitation, 

 with all its communications, is sometimes eight 

 or ten feet. 



The male and female have always separate 

 apartments; for, except in their short season of 

 courtship, they have no intercourse. The whole 

 race, indeed, are so malevolent, as constantly to 

 reject all association. They frequently fight, 

 kill, and devour each other : and the female 



