THE HAMSTER. 



while its hind feet reft upon the muzzle. Its eyes are clofed; its members 

 perfectly ftiff; and all fenfation fo completely tufpended, that nofymptom of 

 life can poflibly be perceived. Even if differed in this Hate the fat feems 

 coagulated, the interlines are cold, and the flow contracting or dilating of the 

 heart is the only proof of exiftence. The animal feems to feel but little 

 from the operation, merely opening its mouth occafionally, as if attempting 

 to breathe, without being fufficiently fenfible to awake from its profound 

 ileep. 



At the time of its annual revival, it firft begins to lofe the ftifthefs of its 

 limbs; it then breathes deeply, and by long intervals; its firffc motions are 

 attended with a frequent gafping and rattling in the throat : after fome days 

 it opens its eyes and makes an effort to ftand, but its attempts, for fome 

 time, are like thofe of a perfon much inebriated: at length, however, it 

 regains its ufual attitude, and refts for a long fpace in perfect tranquillity, as 

 if to recollect itfelf, and to recover from the effects of its ftrange fenfations. 



We have already obferved that every Hamfter occupies a feparate 

 apartment, and indeed the whole race is fo malevolent as to reject all fociety 

 with each other, excepting that which refults from their lhort courtfhip. 

 If it happens, at this feafon, that two males meet in fearch of a female, a 

 battle immediately enfues, which generally terminates in the deftruction of 

 the weaker: the female then makes a lhort attachment to the victorious 

 Hamfter, and will defend him from any attack with furprifing fury; but this 

 connexion foon ceafes. 



The females are very prolific, bringing forth twice or thrice in a year, 

 and producing fixteen or eighteen young ones at each litter. Thefe, in a 

 few weeks, are forced out of their burrows, and left to provide for their 

 future fubfiftence. 



The Hamfter will kill and devour both its own Ipecies and other fmall 

 animals, and frequently ventures to attack where he cannot poflibly vanquilh. 

 Thus it is faid to feize on Horfes, Dogs, and even men, with incredible fury, 

 and to fubmit to death rather than relinquifh its hold. 



The rapid increafe of thefe animals has been almoft furHcient, in fome 

 years, to occaflon a dearth ; but the ill effects of their fecundity* are, in a 



