DORMICE. 105 
and these teeth are furnished with distinct roots, and have their crowns marked 
with transverse folds of enamel. The claws on the feet are short, and the first toe 
in the fore-foot is rudimentary. 
THE COMMON DORMOUSE. 
Genus Muscardinus. 
The common dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) is the sole representative 
of the group inhabiting the British Isles, and is the type of a distinct genus. This 
— 

THE COMMON DORMOUSE (# nat. size). 
tiny little animal, which is about equal in size to the common mouse, is so familiar 
to most persons from being commonly kept as a pet by children, that any deserip- 
tion seems almost superfluous. It is, however, particularly characterised by the 
cylindrical form of the long and somewhat bushy tail; while internally it is 
distinguished from all its kindred by the complex structure of the anterior portion 
of its stomach. Its cheek-teeth have flattened grinding surfaces, with the folds of 
enamel arranged in a complex manner. 
This dormouse has a rather large head, and a thick, compact body; the muzzle 
is somewhat pointed, and the ears are about a third the length of the head. The 
most striking feature of the animal is, however, the large size and prominence of 
