DORMOUSE. 
296 
This was nearly two feet long, and terminated in 
an apartment containing a quantity of fine acorns 
of the white oak, which the little dormouse had 
provided for his sustenance in the winter. He soon 
found another gallery terminated in the same man- 
ner, but filled with maize ; in a third he disco- 
vered a parcel of hickery-nuts ; and in the last a 
large quantity of excellent chestnuts. Pallas informs 
us, that in Siberia they live chiefly on seeds, par- 
ticularly on the kernels of the stone pine, which 
they hoard up to the amount often or fifteen pounds 
in a single magazine. 
The winter appears to be passed by these ani- 
mals in their holes, where they indulge themselves 
in sleeping and eating, without ever stirring abroad 
while the weather is severe, unless they are forced 
from necessity in consequence of a failure of pro- 
visions. When this happens they sally forth, and, 
burrowing under barns and other places where any 
thing is to be had, commit the greatest devastations. 
Hunger makes them bold ; and if they do not meet 
with a ready supply in the out-houses, they will en- 
ter the dwelling, and even eat the corn in the pre- 
sence of the farmer. 
In the autumn, when grain is abundant, these 
creatures are very choice in their food; and it is said 
they will even stuff their pouches with rye, and dis- 
charge it again upon meeting with wheat, which 
they like much better. 
They are killed in Siberia with blunt arrows, or 
