*flIE ECONOMIC RAT* 439 



cess, according to the quarters the animals come 

 from, and the side that is defeated *, 



The females breed several times in the year, and 

 produce five or six at once. It has been observed, 

 that they have sometimes brought forth during their 

 migrations ; and they have been seen carrying some 

 their young in their mouths, and others on their 

 backs. — Tlie flesh of the Lemming s is not used as 

 food. The hair is very fine, but too thick to be of 

 value as a fur. 



THE ECONOMIC RAT t. 



The Icngtli of the Economic Rat is about four 

 inches ; and tliat of its tail, one inch. The limbs 

 ^re strong ; the ears short, naked, and almost hidden 

 beneath the fur of the head. The general colour of 

 the fur is tawny, somewhat whiter beneath than on 

 the back. 



These creatures inhabit Siberia and Kamtschatka, 

 in vast abundance ; making their burrows, with the 

 utmost skill, immediately below the surface of a soft 

 turfy soil. They form a low chamber, ofa flattish 

 arched form, about a foot in diameter, to which 

 they sometimes add as many as thirty small passages 

 or entrances. Near the chamber they often con- 

 struct other caverns, in which they lodge their win- 

 ter stores. These consist of plants ; which they ga- 

 ther in summer, harvest and bring home ; and even, 



* Scliefler, 340. 

 t Synonyms.' — Mus Q'xoftomicus, t/,772.— Economic Mouse, 

 l*<rnn. — Tegoulichitclc. Critre.'-^hdw's Qi!n. Zool. }'l. 134. 



Ff4 



