HAMSTER* 
long intervals. On moving it's limbs, it opens 
it's mouth, and makes a rattle in the throat. 
After 'some days, it opens it's eyes, and tries to 
stand; but makes it's efforts like a person 
much in liquor. At length, when it has at- 
tained it's usual attitude, it rests for a long time 
in tranquillity, to recollect itself, and recover 
from it's fatigue. 
" They begin to lay in their provisions in 
August ; and will carry grains of corn, corn 
in the ear, and peas and beans in the pods ; 
which they clean in their holes, and carry the 
husks carefully out. The pouches are so ca- 
pacious, as to hold a quarter of a pint. As 
soon as they have finished this work, they stop 
up the mouth of their passage carefully. As 
they lie torpid during the whole severe season, 
these hoards are designed for their support on 
their first retreat, and in the spring and the 
beginning of the summer, before they can 
supply themselves in the fields. In winter, 
the peasants go what they call a Hamster-nest- 
ing ; and, when they discover the retreat, dig 
down till they find the hoard: and they are 
commonly well paid; for, besides the skins of 
the 
