96 HAMSTER RAT. 



thicker form, and has a short tail. Its colour is a 

 pale reddish brown above^ and black beneath. 

 The muzzle is whitish, the cheeks reddish^, and on 

 each side the body are three moderately large 

 oval white spots, of which those on the shoulders 

 are the largest: the ears are moderately large 

 and rounded, and the tail almost bare, and about 

 three inches long : on the fore-feet are four toes, 

 with a claw in place of a fifth ; and on the hind- 

 feet are five toes. Sometimes the Hamster varies 

 in colour, being found either black with a white 

 muzzle, or of a pale yellowish white. The male is 

 always much larger tlian the female. On each 

 side the lower part of the back is an almost bare 

 spot, covered only with very short down. 



The Hamster inhabits Siberia and the south of 

 Russia. It is also found in Poland, as well as in 

 many parts of Germany. They are very destruc- 

 tive in some districts, devouring great quantities 

 of grain, which they carry off in their cheek- 

 pouches, and deposit in their holes in order to de- 

 vour during the autumn. The habitation^ which 

 they dig, to the depth of three or four feet, con- 

 sist of more or fewer apartments, according to 

 the age of the animal : a young Hamster makes 

 them hardly a foot deep ; an old one sinks them 

 to the depth of four or five feet, and the whole 

 diameter of the residence, taking in all its habita- 

 tions, is sometimes eight or ten feet. The prin- 

 cipal chamber is lined with dried grass, and 

 serves for a lodging ; the others are destined for 

 fhe preservation of provisions, of which he amasses 



