THE HAMSTER. 



Generic Characters. 

 Two cutting teeth in each jaw. 

 Four toes before, five behind. 



Very flender taper tail, naked, or very flightly covered with hair. 



Synonims. 



Hamester, Cricetus, Gefner Quad. 738. Raii Syn. Quad. 221. 

 Krietsch, Hamster, Kramer Aujir. 317. Zimmerman, 343. 511. 

 Hamster, Pennant Hift. Quad. vol. ii. p. 206. 

 Le Hamster, de Buffon, xiii. 1 17. tab. xiv. xvi. Suppl. iii. 183. 

 Porcellus frumentarius, Schwenkfelde Theriotroph. 118. 

 Mus cricetus, Linn. Syjl. 82. 



TO form an opinion of animals from their refpective good or evil qualities, 

 we mould rather a6l like biaffed individuals than impartial hiftorians ; and 

 therefore, notwithstanding the univerfal deteftation in which the Hamfter 

 is held by the inhabitants of thofe countries where it abounds, we do not 

 heiitate to affign it a place among the greateft curiolities of nature, on account 

 of its lingular habits, and thofe admirable inftindts that conduce to its 

 prefervation: and, in this view, we prefume to recommend it to the 

 contemplation of our readers. 



The head of this animal is furnifhed with large rounded ears, and full 

 black eyes; its fore feet are divided into four toes, with a fifth claw; its 

 hind feet have five toes ; and its tail meafures about three inches. Each 

 cheek has two pouches, which are frequently diftended with food till they 

 feem ready to burn;: its colour, on the head and back, is a reddifh brown; 

 the cheeks are red ; the brealt, belly, and upper part of the fore legs black ; 



