ith marked but rounded supra-orbital ridges
continued into temporal ridges; coronoid process high and falcate"
(_Alston_). The incisors are plain; the molars tuberculated when
young, but in the old animal the tubercles are worn down and exhibit
laminae. They are very nearly related to the true rats, but differ
conspicuously in the possession of large cheek pouches--like those
of the pouched monkeys, into which they stuff the grain they carry
to their burrows. The hind-limbs have five toes, the fore-feet four
only, the thumb being represented by a wart. The European hamster
is a very destructive little animal, from its numbers and the
quantity of grain it stores away in its burrows. They have two sets
of burrows for summer and winter, the latter being the deepest and
most complicated. They pass the winter in a torpid state, but make
up for it by their activity in the summer months. The young are
produced twice in the year and in number varying from six to eighteen,
and they develop very rapidly. Their eyes open in about a week, and
when a fortnight old the parents drive them off to shift for
themselves. The European hamster is a most savage little creature,
and has been known to attack even a red-hot bar, and hold on in spite
of the pain.

[Illustration: Dentition of _Cricetus_.]

[Illustration: _Cricetus_.]

* * * * *

The two following are dwarf species--_Cricetulus_ of some
authors:--[22]

[Footnote 22: Dallas mentions (Cassell's 'Nat. Hist.') a species
from Kumaon, _Cricetus songarus_.]

NO. 330. CRICETUS PHAEUS.
_The Persian Hamster_.

HABITAT.--Yarkand, Gilgit, Persia.

DESCRIPTION.--Cinereous above, white below; the colour varies from
pure ashy grey to grey with an isabelline tinge.--_Blanford_.

SIZE.--Head and body, about 4 inches; tail, 1-1/4 inches.

NO. 331. CRICETUS FULVUS.
_The Sandy Hamster_.

HABITAT.--Yarkand, Gilgit.

DESCRIPTION.--Colour above light sandy brown to sandy grey; no band
down the back; lower parts, feet, and tail white; fur very soft, fully
half an inch long in the middle of the back in some specimens. Rather
larger than the last species. (_See_ Blanford's 'Second Yarkand
Mission,' p. 45.)

SIZE.--Head and body about 4-1/2 inches; tail about 1-1/2 inches.

SUB-FAMILY MURINAE.

CHARACTER.--Molars tuberculate, at least in youth; infra-orbital
opening typical; pterygoid fossae lengthened; auditory bullae
moderate; cheek pouches absen