240 MAMMALIA—HAMSTER. 
red eyes; but whether they be a permanent kind, or r only an accidentat 
variety, cannot well be determined. 
But for its immense fecundity, the species of the mouse could not subsist. 
Even in mouse-traps they have been known to bring forth. They produce 
at all seasons, and several times in the year. Their usual number ata 
birth is five or six; and these, in less,than fifteen days, attain growth and 
strength sufficient to run about and shift for themselves. 
THE HAMS TERS 
Tuts animal, which is also called the German marmot, is about the size 
of the brown rat, but much thicker. Its color is reddish brown above, and 
black beneath; there are three large oval white spots on each side of the 
body. The ears are somewhat large. But the peculiarity which distin- 
guishes it is, that there are two pouches, or receptacles for food, on eacn 
side of its mouth. These are not conspicuous externally, when empty 
but, when distended, they resemble a pair of tumid bladders, with a smooth, 
veiny surface, which the fur of the cheeks conceals. ‘The pouches of one 
which Dr Russel dissected, were found stuffed with French beans, arranged 
lengthways, in such compact and accurate ‘order, that it was exceedingly 
difficult to conceive how they had been so placed. When loosely laid ona 
table, they formed a heap thrice the bulk of the animal’s body. - Austria, 
Silesia, and some parts of Germany, are their native places. 
The hamster is one of the most famous and most pernicious rats* that 
exists. ‘“ We have fed one of these animals for many months,” says Buffon, 
“and afterwards had it dissected, and observed, that the hamster resemble¢ 
more the water rat, than any other animal; it resembled it, also, in the 
smallness of its eyes, and the fineness of its hair; but its tail is not so long 
as that of a water rat; but, on the contrary, itis much shorter than that 
of the short tailed mouse. All these animals live under the earth, and 
seem to be animated with the same instinct. They have nearly the same 
habits, and particularly shat of collecting corn, &c., and making great maga= 
zines in their holes.” ' 
1 Cricetus vulgaris, Desm. The genus Cricetus has two upper and two lower inci- 
sors ; no canines; six upper and six lower molars. Crown of the molars with blunt 
tubercles ; fore feet with four toes, and a rudimentary thumb; hind feet pentadactyle, 
with strong nails ; tail short and hairy ; ; cheek pouches. 
