445 THE HAMSTER. 



or ten days he is as torpid as if he had been in his 

 own burrow. If liie cage is brought up to the sur« 

 face, he will awake in a few hours ; and resumes 

 his torpid state when put below the earth again. 



When the animal is passing from a state of tor- 

 pidity, his actions are very singular. He first loses 

 the rigidity of his members ; and then makes pro- 

 found respiratioas, but at long intervals. His legs 

 begin to move ; he opens his mouth, and utters 

 disagreeable and rattling sounds. After continuing 

 these operations for some time, he opens his eyes, 

 and endeavours to raise himself on his legs. But 

 all these movements are still reeling and unsteady, 

 like those of a man intoxicated with liquor ; he, 

 however, reiterates his efforts, till he is at length 

 able to stand on his legs. In this attitude he remains 

 fixed ; as if he meant to recoimoitre, and repose 

 himself after his fatigue. But he gradually begins 

 to walk, to eat, and to act in his usual manner. 

 This passage from a torpid to an active state, re- 

 quires more or less time, according to the tempera- 

 ture of the air. When exposed to a cold air, he 

 sometimes requires above two hours to awake ; but^ 

 in a more temperate air, he accomplishes his purpose 

 in less than one. 



The life of a Hamster is divided between eating 

 and fighting. He seems to have no other passion 

 than that of rage ; which induces him to attack 

 every animal that comes in his way, without in the 

 least rittending to the superior strength of the enemy. 

 Ignorant of the art of saving himself by flight, ra- 

 ther than yield he will allow himself to be beaten to 



