. The animal creation: a popular introduction to zoology. Zoology. RODENTIA. 519 The Water Eat Mus amphibius) is somewhat larger than the common Eat, of a Jeep greyish-brown colour, with the tail as long as the body. It inhabits the banks of streams, and digs in marshy grounds to look for roots ,• it is but an inditferent swimmer and diver. The Lemmings (Mus Lemmus), a northern species, the size of a Rat, with fur diversified with yellow and black, are very celebrated for the migrations they make from time to time in innumerable troops. They are said to march in a straight line, neither river,
. The animal creation: a popular introduction to zoology. Zoology. RODENTIA. 519 The Water Eat Mus amphibius) is somewhat larger than the common Eat, of a Jeep greyish-brown colour, with the tail as long as the body. It inhabits the banks of streams, and digs in marshy grounds to look for roots ,• it is but an inditferent swimmer and diver. The Lemmings (Mus Lemmus), a northern species, the size of a Rat, with fur diversified with yellow and black, are very celebrated for the migrations they make from time to time in innumerable troops. They are said to march in a straight line, neither river, mountain, nor any other obstacle arresting their passage, while they carry devastation into all the lands through which they pass. Their usual habitat seems to be the shores of the icy sea. The Dormice (Mi/ozus—Rat with a pointed nose) are pretty little animals, with soft fm-, a hairy or even tufted tail, and animated look;. Fig. 445.—dormice. they Uve on trees, and feed on fruits; they pass the winter in a deep lethargic sleep, rolled up into a ball. The Rats f3Ius Rattus), properly so called, feed chiefly on vegetable substances, such as grains and roots; but they also devour flesh, and when forced by hunger, ihey mingle in fierce battle, and devour each other. The Hamsters f3Ius cricetus) have the same kind of teeth as the Rats, but their tail is short, and the sides of the mouth are furnished with wide sacs or cheek-pouches, serving to transport the grain which they carry to their subterranean abode. The Harvest Mouse {3Ius messorius) is the smallest. Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfectly resemble the original Jones, Thomas Rymer, 1810-1880. London : Society for Promoting Knowledge
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Keywords: ., bookauthorjo, bookcentury1800, bookdecade1860, booksubjectzoology
