a herd and was far away beyond range. Following it we found several other herds and had some hard gallops but without success. But anyway the day did not yield us game so we must back to camp with trifling with excitement lights out and almost glad of our non-success for it made us all the better for the next days hunt. Monday June 23 We were up early today for we had just set a long line of traps the night before. Hills were just far between for the soil was very sandy and not good for small mammals, but we had sprinkled the plain with traps wherever there was the slightest chance of success. We got eight or ten hamsters and two Mice. The hamsters are cunning little grey fellows short & dumpy & almost without a tail. They are protected from the cold by extraordinarily thick soft fur, and their tiny feet are covered with fur even on the soles. They are interesting as being survivors of the hamsters which migrated into Europe from Siberia during the glacial period. With their short legs it is no provide for them to run fast and they are easily caught. I got one in my hands last night while we were putting out the traps. On one of these steel traps which we