HAMSTER. 
1 HE Hamsters, or Criceti, called Mures 
Buccati in the Systema Naturae of Linnaeus* 
are a class of animals little otherwise distin- 
guished from the Rat, than by theh\having 
cheek-pouches, and . short tails not quite free 
from hairs. These differences have induced 
some naturalists to class them with the Mar- 
mot; but, as it should seem, without any suf-* 
ficient foundation, 
It is by no means generally agreed, among 
naturalists, to extend the appellation of Ham- 
as has sometimes been done, to all the Criceti* 
The Cricetus Germanicus, or German Ham- 
ster, represented in the annexed figure, is cer- 
tainly the chief or common species* 
This animal is the Hamster, or Cricetus, of 
Agricola, Gesner, Ray, Buffon, &c. the Stras-- 
bourgh Marmot, of Brisson; the Skrzeczek,- 
Choinik, of Ezaczlnski ; the Porcellus Fnw 
mentarius, of Schwenckfelde ; the Krietsch, 
or Hamster, of Kramer, Pallas, arid Zimmer- 
man j 
