Golden Hamster. 



Cricetus auratus, Wateriiouse, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1839, p. 57. 



Mr. Wateriiouse says of this species, that it is less than the common hamster ( Cricetus 

 vulgaris ), and is remarkable for its deep golden yellow colouring. The fur is moderately long and very 

 soft, and has a silk-like gloss ; the deep golden yellow colouring extends over the upper parts and sides 

 of the head and body, and also over the outer side of the limbs : on the back the hairs are brownish 

 at the tip, hence in this part the fur assumes a deeper hue than on the sides of the body : the sides 

 of the muzzle, throat, and under parts of the body are white, but faintly tinted with yellow : on the 

 back, and sides of the body, all the hairs are of a deep grey or lead colour at the base. The feet 

 and tail are white. The ears are of moderate size, furnished externally with deep golden-coloured 

 hairs, and internally with whitish hairs. The moustaches consist of black and white hairs intermixed. 



This specimen was received from Aleppo, and presented to the Society's Museum, by G. R. 

 Waterhouse, Esq. 



The skull, when compared with that of Cricetus vulgaris, differs in not having the anterior root 

 of the zygomatic arch produced anteriorly in the form of a thin plate, which in that animal, as in 

 the rats, serves to protect an opening which is connected with the nasal cavity : the facial portion 

 of the skull is proportionately longer and narrower : in size there is much difference ; the skull of 

 Cricetus auratus being one inch and a half in length, and ten lines in breadth, measuring from the 

 outer side of the zygomatic arches. 



Length of the head and body, seven inches and a half ; tail, half an inch. 



