THE HAMSTEft. 441 



sometimes wailed above two hours for them to puss. 

 The retirement of these animals is very alarming to 

 the Kamtschadales ; but their return, which is gene- 

 rally in October, occasions the utmost joy and fes- 

 tivity, a successful chase and iishcry being always 

 considered as its certain consequeiue *. 



The Kamtschadales never destroy the hoards of 

 these Rats. They sometimes take away part of 

 their store ; but, in return for this, they invariably 

 leave either some caviare, or other food, to sup- 

 port them in its stead -j~. 



The manner in which the Economic Rats, in 

 their foraging excursions, cross the rivers of Iceland, 

 is thus related by Mr. Olaffen. — " I'he party, con- 

 sisting of from six to ten, select a flat piece of dried 

 cow-dung ; on which they place the berries they 

 have collected, in aheap in the middle. Then, by 

 their united force, drawing it to the water's edge, 

 they launch it, and embark; placing themselves 

 round the heap, with their heads joined over it, and 

 their backs to the water, their tails pendent in the 

 stream and serving the purpose of rudders [j:." 



THE HAMSTER ^. 



The Hamster is about the size of the Brown or 

 Norway Rat ; but much thicker, and its tail only 



* Grieve, lO"). Pciin. Arct. Zool. i. 134. 

 t Kerri i. '238. J Sliaw, ii. 



§ Synonyms. — Mus Cricetui. Liun. — Gciinan ilarmot. Ilamste-r 

 Rat. Pen?!. — German Kambtei. Kerr. — Hamster. Bufcn. ShaSs 

 Gfn. Zool.pl. 137— Bra. ^uad. 370. 



