212 NATURALISTS CABINET. 



Boldness of attack. 



raise himself on his legs. But all these move- 

 ments are still reeling and unsteady; he, how- 

 ever, repeats his efforts, till he is at length able 

 to stand on his legs. In this attitude he remains 

 fixed ; as if he meant to repose himself after his 

 fatigue. But he gradually begins to walk, to eat, 

 and to act in his usual manner. This restoration 

 to a state of activity, requires more or less time, 

 according to the temperature of the air. When 

 exposed to a cold air, he sometimes requires 

 above two hours to awake ; but, in a more tem- 

 perate air, he accomplishes his purpose much 

 sooner. 



The hamster seems to have no other passion 

 than that of rage; which propels him to attack 

 indiscriminately every animal that comes in his 

 way. Ignorant of the art of saving himself by 

 flight, rather than yield he will allow himself to 

 be literally beaten to pieces. If he seize a man'* 

 hand, he must be killed before he will quit his 

 hold; and horses and dogs are equally the ob- 

 jects of his rage. When the hamster perceives 

 a dog at a distance, he empties his cheek-pouches, 

 if they happen to be filled with grain; and blows 

 them up so prodigiously, that the size of the 

 head and neck greatly exceeds that of the rest 

 of the body. He then raises himself on his hind 

 legs, and thus darts upon the enemy. If he catch 

 hold he never relinquishes it, but with the loss of 

 his life. But the dog generally seizes him from 

 behind, and strangles him. When two Hani- 



