230 T H E Z I S E L, O R 



have doubted whether theZi/el or Zeifd*^ (a- 

 tdus ) be a different animal from the hamfter 

 (cricetus). They have, indeed, a great refem- 

 blance to each other, and inhabit nearly the 

 fame countries f. They differ, however, in fo 

 many charadlers, that I am convinced they con- 

 ftitute two diftinct fpecies. The zilel is fmaller 

 tban the hamfter. Its body is long and flender 

 like the weafel ; but that of the hamfter is thick 

 like the rat. It has no external ears, but two 

 auditory paflages concealed under the hair. The 

 ears of the hamfters are Ihort ; but they are fhort 

 and very confpicuous. The zifel is of a uniform 

 cinereous gray colour ; but the hamfter has three 

 large white fpots on each fide of the breaft. 

 Thefe differences, when joined to this circum- 

 ftance, that the two animals, though they inha- 

 bit the fame regions, never intermix, are fuffa- 



cient 



Ziefel ; Schu:enkfelt. Theriotroph. p. 86. 



Mus citellus, Cauda abbrcviata, corpore cinereo, auriculis 

 llullis ; Linn. S\J}. Ntit. p. 80. 



Cuniculus caudatus, auriculis nullis, cinereus ; Brijfon. quad, 

 f. ici. . 



* Mus Noricus quem citellum appellant, in terrae caveniis 

 habitat, ei corpus ut muflelae doraellicae lougum et tenue, 

 Cauda admodum brevis, color pilis ut cuniculorum quorum- 

 dam pllis, cinereus, fed obfcurior. Sicut talpa caret auribus, 

 fed non caret foraminibus quibus fonum ut avis recipit. Den- 

 ies habet miiris dentium fimiles; ex liujus etiam pellibus, quan- 

 quam non iint pieciofae, vellcs folent confici ; Gcorg. j^gricola 

 dc anbnaiitibus fuhterraneii, p. 488. 



• The hamiler is found in Mifnia, Thuringia, and Han- 

 jiover ; and tjie zifcl in Hungary, Auftria, and Poland, where 

 it is called_/f//f^ 



