444 



MAMMALIA. 



In this cradle the mother deposits seven or eight young ones ; 

 but the question may be asked, how she manages to suckle 

 them, for the narrowness of the structure will not allow her to 

 install herself in the midst of her brood. The opening of their 

 dwelling is so skilfully concealed, that extreme attention is some- 

 times necessary to discover it. The female can climb up to her 

 nest with the greatest ease, and descends with similar facility, 



Fig. 181.— Harvest Muuse ^Micromj/s minutias). 



winding her tail round a straw and sliding down rapidly. In 

 winter-time, the Harvest Mouse takes refuge in corn or hay-ricks, 

 or scratches out a burrow, which it lines with wool, hair, or other 

 soft substances. 



Those we have named above are the principal European species. 

 The other parts of the world have also a few varieties which are 

 peculiar to them. The most important are, in Africa, the jNjile 



