Striped Ground-squirrel 415 



emaciated, hair dry and lifeless, flesh perceptibly less moist 

 than it was in the fall. On subjecting the gluteal muscles to 

 like treatment as in October I was surprised to find only i8 

 per cent, of loss instead of the 30, as exhibited in the previous 

 autumn. 



"The large amount of soluble albumen found in the flesh 

 of the Striped-gopher in the fall, and the lesser amount found 

 after its protracted hibernation, go far to prove that albumen 

 somehow fits the animal for its long sleep. Is it not probable 

 that albumen is a stored-up magazine of elaborated nutrition, 

 to be used when no food can be assimilated by the digestive 

 organ .?" 



Although the farmers generally wage war on the Ground- rela- 

 squirrels as enemies to the crops, the case is not so clear as they to aian 

 seem to think. There is so much to be said on the other side 

 that it is usually nearly a balance. Kennicott, after long study 

 of the matter, wrote :'^ "There can be no doubt that Meadow- 

 mice and insects are, largely eaten by these animals whenever 

 they can be obtained; and the high probability is that their 

 good offices in the destruction of these, far more than counter- 

 balances their occasional injury to the corn-fields. I doubt 

 their being so very injurious in long-cultivated farms." 



From all accounts Indian corn is the cereal to which it is 

 most destructive. In Manitoba it does no harm to this crop for 

 most excellent reasons; it certainly works mischief in gardens, 

 but it is often blamed for the doings of its two larger relatives. 

 On the other hand, as shown, it destroys enormous numbers of 

 noxious seeds, insects, and mice, and it would be well if the 

 bounty law against it were repealed. Such laws are now 

 generally discredited in America, and its numbers in our 

 country are too small to constitute a danger even if it were as 

 much a grain-eater as some would have us believe. 



^ Quad 111., 1857, p. 78. 



