OEDEB OF EODENTIA. 



451 



which, are to be dreaded from an animal, the multiplication of 

 which is exceedingly rapid. The females produce young three or 

 four times a year : the first litter is only three or four in number, 

 but the subsequent ones are from six to nine, sometimes, indeed, 

 foom fifteen to eighteen. 



At one time, the number of these Rodents became so great in 

 parts of Germany, that the Government of Gotha ofifered a pre- 

 mium for their destruction : during one year eighty thousand were 

 killed in that neighbourhood. 



From what we have said it may be easily imagined that 

 Hamsters are not looked upon by the peasants with much favour. 



Fig. 185. — Hamster (^Criceius frumentarius]. 



but are pursued with the utmost animosity, both for the purpose 

 of destroying them, and also for recovering their misappropriated 

 property. The burrow of the Hamster is not difiicult to find, 

 and is recognised by observing near an obliquely tending hole, a 

 little mound resulting from the mould scratched out by the animal. 

 To destroy them the peasants spread poison-baUs about the fields ; 

 but this plan might lead to very serious consequences, and ought 

 to be absolutely forbidden. 



In the middle of autumn the Hamster retires into his strong- 

 hold, and, closing up all the avenues, shuts itself up there until 

 spring. During this interval it consumes the provisions which 



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