The non-scientific observer of our native mammals satisfied himself long ago that the pretty Dormouse was a miniature kind of Squirrel, and he was helped to this conclusion by the general resemblance in colouring, the form of the head, the prominent black eyes, large ears, and thickly furred long tail; as well as by its arboreal habitat and its habit of sitting up on its haunches and holding a nut or other food in its forepaws. But the classifying naturalist has to look below the surface to discover a sound basis for his work. Superficial resemblances are often due to similarity of habit and habitat; and in this case the internal structure of the Dormouse shows that it has closer affinity with the Mice than with the Squirrels, though really distinct from both.
[Pl. 54A.]][G 82.
Seeking for thistle-seeds.
Harvest Mice.
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[Pl. 54B.]][G 82.
Fighting for a wheat-ear.
Harvest Mice.
![[View Larger Image Here.]](#4052842856038308812_i_146bx.jpg.id-8568381512713176124.wrap-0.html.html){kind=link}