DORMICE. 105 



and these teeth are furnished with distinct roots, and have their crowns marked 

 with transverse folds of enamel. The claws on the feet are short, and the first toe 

 in the fore-foot is rudimentary. 



THE COMMON DORMOUSE. 

 Genus Muscardinus. 



The common dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) is the sole representative 

 of the group inhabiting the British Isles, and is the type of a distinct genus. This 



THE COMMON DORMOUSE (f liat. size). 



tiny little animal, which is about equal in size to the common mouse, is so familiar 

 to most persons from being commonly kept as a pet by children, that any descrip- 

 tion seems almost superfluous. It is, however, particularly characterised by the 

 cylindrical form of the long and somewhat bushy tail ; while internally it is 

 distinguished from all its kindred by the complex structure of the anterior portion 

 of its stomach. Its cheek-teeth have flattened grinding surfaces, with the folds of 

 enamel arranged in a complex manner. 



This dormouse has a rather large head, and a thick, compact body : the muzzle 

 is somewhat pointed, and the ears are about a third the length of the head. The 

 most striking feature of the animal is, however, the large size and prominence 



