460 THE HAMSTER. 
and must not be confounded with the Long-tailed Field Mouse, which is not a vole at all, but 
a veritable Mouse. 
Famity IMuwride—the Mice-like animals, or Murine Rodents—embraces a large number 
of species. In North America, however, only two sub-families are represented, Murine and 
Arvicoling. 
The typical genus J/vs has no representatives in this country, the mouse and rat being 
introduced from Europe. 
Of the sub-family J/urine, or Mouse-like animals of North America, the group called 
Sigmodontes embraces all the species. This designation is adapted from a peculiar sigmoid 
or S-like mark on the upper surface of the teeth. 
The genus WVeotoma includes a small number of rat-like animals of large size. 
The Florida Wood Rat (eotoma floridiana) is rat-like, and about the size of a Guinea 
pig. It has a tail inclining to bushy. The Southern United States is its proper habitat. 
Three other species are known; one, inhabiting California, is eleven inches in length, 
the largest of the genus, and called the Bushy-tailed Wood Rat. 
The genus Sigmodon includes one species, the Cotton Rat (Sigmodon hispidus). Vt 
inhabits the coast region of the Southern States and Mexico. The pelage is hispid, from 
the presence of stiff hairs. 
The genus LHesperomys is so named from its including Western murine animals. The 
species are much like the Old World forms. 
The American Field Mouse (Hesperomys leucopus), called also White-footed Deer Mouse, 
inhabits the northern portion of North America as far as Puget’s Sound, and east as far as 
Massachusetts. A variety is found in the Southern States, larger, being about four inches in 
length, and with a shorter tail. Seven other species of this genus inhabit the Southern and 
Western portions of the country. Three other sub-species are known, inhabiting the Western 
plains. 
The genus Ochetodon includes three little mouse-like creatures, much like the Common 
House Mouse in appearance, though having essentially different teeth. They are known only 
in California and Mexico. 
In the sub-family Avrvicoling is one genus with one species, the Red-backed Mouse 
(Evotomys rutilus). It inhabits the cireumpolar regions, and is not uncommon in Massa- 
chusetts. 
The genus Arvicola includes eight species, distributed over every portion of the United 
States. The Common American Meadow Mouse (Arvicola riparius) is known to all parts of 
the country above Virginia. 
The genus Synaptomzs is represented by Cooper’s Mouse (Synapltomys coopert). 
Myodes is a genus closely resembling that of Cwniculws, which embraces the Lemmings. 
Myodes obensis is common to Asia and North America. 
THE short, sturdy, stupid rodent which is so famous under the name of the Hamster, is 
widely spread over many parts of Northern Europe, where it is an absolute pest to the agri- 
culturists, who wage unceasing war against so destructive an animal. Before proceeding to 
the habits and character of the Hamster, a short description of its external appearance will be 
necessary. 
The color of its fur is a grayish-fawn on the back, deepening into black on the under por- 
tions of the body, and softening into a yellow hue upon the head and face. The otherwise 
uniform tinting of the fur is relieved by some patches of whitish-yellow upon the cheeks, 
shoulders, and sides. The creature is furnished with two large cheek-pouches, which are 
capable of containing a considerable amount of food, and which can be inflated with air at the 
pleasure of the animal. The length of the adult Hamster is about fifteen inches, the tail 
being only three inches long. 
The Hamster is most destructive to the crops, whether of corn, peas, or beans, and when 
the autumn approaches, begins to plunder the fields in a most systematic manner, for the 
