314 
HAMSTER. 
his nose so firmly, as not to be disengaged without 
the greatest difficulty. This ferocious temper will 
not allow him to live in peace with any other animal. 
Two hamsters will attack each other and fight most 
furiously ; but the longest combats are generally 
between a male and female. After one or two rounds 
they retire to one side in order to take breath ; and 
when they find themselves sufficiently recovered, 
they renew the combat, and continue engaged till one 
of- them is killed. 
The males always exceed the females in size, and 
some weigh from twelve to sixteen ounces. The fe- 
males generally weigh from four to six. They in- 
habit many parts of Germany, Poland, Austria, and 
Silesia; they are likewise found in all the temperate 
parts of Russia and Siberia ; and they swarm to such 
a degree near Gotha, that Mr. Sulzer informs us that 
in one year 1 1,574 skins, in another 54,429, and in 
a third 80, 139, have been brought to the town-house. 
The quantity of grain they destroyed made it ne- 
cessary to proscribe them and the hunters find their 
account in the employment, as, independent of the 
furs, which are of value, they frequently get a good 
stock of grain from their burrows. 
