9S 



With Cheek-pouches for the temporary Reception of 

 their Food, 



HAMSTER RAT. 



Mus Crlcetus. M. biiccis sacculiferis, corpore sub f us aferrimo, 



ckatriculis lumbaiibus detonsis, Lin. Syst. Nat. Gmel.p, IJ7. 



Pall. Glir.p.Ss. 

 Reddish-brown pouched Rat, with three white spots on each 



side, and deep black abdomen. 

 Mus Cauda mediocri, auriculis rotundatis, corpore subtus fiigro, la- 



teribus rufescejitibus^ maculis tribus albis. Lin. Syst, Nat. 



p. 82. 



Hamster. Buff. 13. p. ii'j.pl. 14. and Svppl. $.p. 183. 

 Hamfter Rat. Pennajit Quadr. 2. p. 206. 



Of the pouched rats the Hamster is the most 

 remarkable, and indeed is the only European spe- 

 cies provided with those peculiar receptacles, 

 which are situated on each side the mouth, and 

 when empty are so far contracted as not to ap- 

 pear externally, but when filled resemble a pair 

 of tumid bladders,' having a smooth veiny surface; 

 concealed, however, under the fur or skin of the 

 cheeks ^, which bulge out extremely in this state. 

 They are so large as to hold the quantity of a 

 quarter of a pint, English measure. 



The general size of the Hamster is nearly that 

 of a brown or Norway rat, but it is of a much 



* In the figure of these parts engraved in Suffon's Natural His- 

 tory, Vol. XIII. pi. 16, they are represented as situated under the 

 skin of the cheeks, which has been divided in order to display them 5 

 and in Daubenton's accurate description they are expressly said to 

 be covered by the common integuments. 



