THE DORMOUSE. 315 



Description, habits, &c. 



mouse, seldom bringing forth more than four at 

 a time during that season. 



The common dormouse, according to the 

 statement of Mr. Pennant, has two cutting teeth 

 in each jaw, naked ears, four toes before, aad 

 five behind ; the tail is somewhat more than two 

 inches in length, and hairy towards the extre- 

 mity. The body is about the size of that of the 

 common, or domestic mouse, but rather more 

 plump ; the back and sides are of a tawny red, 

 but thf throat and belly perfectly white. 



This animal is known in almost every part of 

 Europe. It chiefly subsists on nuts and acorns, 

 which it eats like the squirrel, sitting in an erect 

 posture. 



At the commencement of winter it rolls itself 

 up in its nest, where it lies in a state of torpidity 

 till revived by the genial warmth of spring; 

 sometimes, when the winter is unusually mild, 

 should the sun shine out, it frequently seems to 

 revive; but when the motive ceases, it soon re- 

 lapses into its former lethargic state. 



The striped dormouse is found in the northern 

 parts of Asia and America. It usually burrows 

 like the rabbit in holes under ground, where it 

 forms a habitation with two entrances, that it 

 may be furnished with means of escape, should 

 one of the passages be accidentally obstructed. 



This retreat is very ingeniously contrived, re- 

 sembling a long gallery, with diverticles on each 

 side, each terminating in a kind of chamber, 



