Bi(rro7cs of the American Marmot. 113 



to b, then a little north of south-east for six feet, two inches. 

 The deepest point in this runway was forty-nine and one- 

 eighth inches, viz. : at b. The runway did not continue on a 

 level on any point, except from A to B, the latter being a 

 second entrance only twelve inches from B, an uncommon 

 circumstance. In the general averages hereinafter considered, 

 this hole will be considered as one with entrance A. From 

 the point b', a branch runway extended north-east for four 

 feet, seven inches to b'-, where it reached the uncommon 

 depth of four feet, seven inches. One would suppose the end 

 of this pocket would not be a desirable place for an extended 

 stay, as it would be probably moist. The average depth of 

 this burrow was approximately thirty-four inches. 



A very large earth mound, thrown up by the marmot from 

 the runway, was present at the entrance A, and west thereof. 

 It measured four feet, nine inches from the entrance A to its 

 westward edge, and four feet, eleven inches in the other direc- 

 tion. Its greatest height was nine inches. 



At the south-west edge of the entrance A were some choke 

 cherry bushes. These afforded a blind, by the side of which 

 the marmot might sit. 



The entire length of the runways aggregated (260 inches) 

 twenty-one feet, eight inches. 



EXCAVATION G. 



This runway was in a broad, elevated, flat meadow plateau, 

 elevated about twe^aty feet above the runway (excavation) C 

 of the beaver meadow. 



The entrance A was close by a stump, and immediately 

 descended under the same, and the runway continued on and 

 ran in a straight line about north-west, then west for twelve 

 inches and then north-west again for fiftj'-one inches, where 

 it stopped. 



The runway was .substantially horizontal, and twenty-three 

 inches below the surface — quite an interesting fact. From B 

 to D a branch runway extended forty-nine and a half inches. 

 The entrance A was ten and one-quarter inches long and six 

 and one-quarter inches broad. Two heaps or mounds of sand 

 adjoined it. A small mound lay to the east, and a large one, 



