RAT. 
305 
dance, from the east side of the Uralian chain, even 
within the Arctic circle, and quite to Kamtschatka, 
where they are distinguished for their curious ceco- 
nomy and Vast migrations. 
They make their burrows with the . greatest skill 
immediately below the surface of the soft turfy soil, 
where they form a chamber of a flattish arched 
form, of a small height, and about a foot in dia- 
meter, to which they sometimes add as many as 
thirty small pipes or entrances. Near the cham- 
ber they often form other caverns, in which they 
lodge their winter stores : these consist of various 
kinds of plants, even some of species poisonous to 
mankind. They gather them in summer, harvest 
them, and even at times bring them out of the cells 
to give them a more thorough drying in the sun. 
The chief labour rests on the females. The males 
during summer go about solitary, and inhabit some 
old nests, where they live on berries without ever 
having recourse to their hoards in that season. Like 
the rest of the genus they multiply quickly, and 
the female brings two or three young at a time. 
No little animals, continues Mr. Pennant, are so 
respected by the Kamtschatkans as these ; for to 
them they owe a delicious food ; and with great joy, 
about autumn, rob the hoards, and leave there 
many ridiculous presents by way of amends : they 
also never take the whole of their provisions, and 
leave besides a little dried ovaries of fish for their 
support. 
VOL. i. 
x 
