HAMSTER. 
311 
the inclined passage for the purpose of carrying out 
the earth. Besides the granaries already mentioned, 
the hamster always digs a principal chamber, which 
is lined with straw and serves for a lodging. In the 
excavations where the female brings forth, there is 
seldom above one chamber for provisions, which is 
sufficient to maintain her during the short time of 
her confinement. She is exceedingly prolific, and 
produces from six to eighteen at a birth, and this 
two or three times every year. These little creatures 
grow so rapidly, that at the age of fifteen days they 
begin to dig the earth ; and soon after are banished 
by the mother from her habitation, to seek a living 
where they can. This want of affection in the pa- 
rent discovers itself in a most dastardly manner when 
the family is threatened with danger : for then she 
is only anxious to provide for her own safety, and is 
totally regardless of her offspring. With an astonish- 
ing quickness she digs deeper into the earth, and has 
presently made a passage, through which the young 
would willingly follow ; but the unnatural mother, 
deaf to their cries, even shuts the hole she has made 
and prevents their escape. 
About the end of August the hamster begins to 
prepare for his winter stock ; and Nature has admira- 
bly calculated him for the purpose, by placing two 
pouches within his cheeks, each of which will hold 
a quarter of a pint. These pouches serve as recep- 
tacles for the booty, and he fills them till the cheeks 
seem ready to burst. He brings to his cavern dry 
clean grain, corn in the ear, peas and beans in the 
