406 



INTRODUCTION TO ZOOLOGY. 



and the showers of April rouse it from slumber. The 

 Hamster of the North of Europe (Fig. 308), lays up in its 

 winter quarters a plentiful store of grain, which it conveys 



from the fields in 

 its capacious cheek 

 pouches. The pro- 

 vident instincts of 

 both the Squirrel and 

 the Dormouse of 

 England, need only 

 be referred to. The 

 Jerboa, or Jumping 

 Rat of Egypt (Fig. 

 309), although it 



does not hybernate, establishes magazines of grain; and thus 

 ' * provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food 

 in the harvest." 



Fig. 308. HAMSTER. 



Fig. 309. JERBOA. 



Utility. The annoyance, and occasionally the serious 

 injury inflicted by some members of the present group, is 

 universally admitted. On the other hand we should consider 

 that substances which would soon be decaying and offensive, 

 are removed by their agency; that the fur of some is much 

 valued, and forms an extensive branch of trade, and that man 

 himself, and many carnivorous beasts and birds, derive fron 

 different species of these animals an important supply of food. 



