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NATURAL HISTORY. 



FAMILY V. MYOXIDJE. 



The Dormice, which constitute this family, have generally been regarded as nearly related to the 

 Squirrels ; and certainly, although they fall under the definition of the Myomorphic section, they have 



a plain affinity to the Sciuridse. In form they are Squirrel-like, and the 

 tail is long and hairy, although not so bushy as in the true Squirrels. 

 They have four molars on each side in each jaw (see figure), the front one 

 in each series being smaller than the rest. All these teeth are rooted, 

 and their crowns show transverse folds of enamel. The frontal bones are 

 much narrowed ; the fore limbs are small, with the thumbs rudimentary 

 and furnished with a small flat nail ; and the hind feet have five toes. The 

 Dormice differ from all other Rodents by having the intestine entirely 

 destitute of a caecum. They are confined to the Eastern hemisphere, and 

 chiefly to its temperate and colder regions ; although a species of Myoxus, 

 and some forms on which a special genus (Grapkiurus) has been founded, 

 inhabit Africa. The number of known species is only about a dozen. 



The common DORMOUSE (Myoxus avellanarius) is an elegant little 

 creature, about three inches long, with a somewhat bushy, cylindrical 

 tail, two inches and a half in length. Its fur is of a light reddish-tawny colour above, becoming 

 paler and yellowish on the lower surface. On the throat there is a small whitish mark. It is 



MOLAR TEETH OF THE DOR- 

 MOUSE. 



DORMOUSE. 



widely distributed in Europe, ranging from Britain and Sweden in the north to Tuscany and 

 Northern Turkey in the south. Generally it is more abundant in southern than in northern 

 countries, but in the south of France it is less common than either of the other two European 

 species. Eastwards it does not extend beyond Galicia, Hungary, and Transylvania. 



The Dormouse is nocturnal in its habits. During the day it sleeps in its nest or in some snug 

 retreat, and at night comes forth in search of its food, which consists of nuts, acorns, seeds, berries, 

 and the buds of trees and shrubs. It is particularly fond of the nuts of the common hazel, whence its 

 specific name, and the name of " Haselmaus," which it bears in Germany ; these nuts it is said to 

 pierce and empty without plucking them or taking them out of their cups. The Dormouse lives in 

 small societies in thickets and hedgerows, where it is as active in its way amongst the bushes and 

 undergrowth as its cousin the Squin-el upon the larger trees. Among the small twigs and branches 



