ORDER RODENTIA. 75 



only distinguished by the red colour of the skin. 

 It devastates the woods and fields*. 



The Hamsters, (Cricetus, Cuv.) 



Have the same kind of teeth as the Rats, but their 

 tail is short and covered, and the two sides of the 

 mouth are hollowed, as in certain Monkeys, into 

 sacs or cheek-pouches, which serve to transport the 

 grains which they gather, into their subterranean 

 abode. 



The Common Hamster, Marmot of Germany, (M. Cricetus, 

 L.) Buff. XIII. xiv. 



Is larger than the Rat; reddish-gray above; 

 black in the flanks and underneath, with three 

 white spots on each side; its fore-feet are white; 

 and there is also a white spot under the throat, 

 and another under the chest. There are some 

 individuals entirely black. This animal, so 

 agreeably varied in colour, is one of the most 

 hurtful which exist, in consequence of the 

 quantity of grains which it gathers, and with 

 which it fills its holes, which are at times nearly 



* To this division probably appertain, M. Agrarius, M. Mi- 

 nutus, M. Soricinus, M. Vagus, M. Betulinus, M. Pumilio, M. 

 Striatus, M. Barbaras. We cannot as yet well classify either M. 

 Pilorides, or any of the Rats pointed out, rather than described by 

 Molina, for they are not sufficiently well-known. 



Here also should come the enormous species, M. Giganteus, 

 Lin. Trans. VII. xvin. 



