372 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



each litter confifting of fix or eight. In about three 



weeks, the young are driven from their holes, and left 



to provide for themfelves. Their increafe is fo rapid 



in fome years, as to-be almoft fufficient to occafion a 

 dearth but the ferocity with which they upon all occa- 

 fions attack and devour each other, is fo great, as to be 

 the happy means of preventing the ill effects of their fe- 

 cundity. 



It is not only its own fpecies to which the fury of the 

 Hamfter is directed : He attacks and devours every ani- 

 mal, without diftinction, that he is able to conquer ; and 

 frequently oppofes himfelf to enemies much fuperior to 

 himfelf in ftrength. Rather than fly, he allows himfelf 

 to be beaten to death. If he feize a man's hand, he 

 muft be killed before he can be made to quit his hold. 

 A Horfe or a Dog are equally objects of his rage ; and 

 wherever he feizes, it is with difficulty he can be difen- 

 gaged. 



The Hamfter is about the fize of a large Water-Rat; 

 has a fhort tail, almoft naked: Its head and back are of 

 a reddifh-brown colour, not unlike that of a Hare ; its 

 throat is white, and it has three white fpots on each 

 fide: Its breaft and belly are black. 



It is found in various parts of Germany, Poland, and 

 Ukraine. 



The Polecat is its greateft enemy. It purfues the 

 Hamfter into its hole, and deftroys great numbers. 



Mr Ray obferves, that the hair of this animal is fo 

 clofely united to the fkin, that it cannot be pulled off 

 without great difficulty 5 on which account it is held in 

 high eftimation. 



