938 



RODENTIA 



somewhat heavier than those of M. tnarmota, especially the lower 

 molars ; anterior face of incisors whitish or pale orange. 



External characters. — Essentially as in Marmota marmota, but 

 thumb present as a small though distinct tubercle bearing an 

 evident appressed nail. Mammai : 2^ 2 — 2, a 2 — 2, i 1 — 1 = 10. 



Colour. — ^Entire animal a light yellowish brown, the head 

 suffused with a darker brown, the back, sides of body and outer 

 surface of limbs clouded with blackish hair-tips, these most 

 numerous over posterior half of back, but nowhere obscuring the 



Fig. 194. 

 Marmota bobak. Slightly reduced. 



ground colour ; feet a clear yellowish brown ; underparts and 

 inner surface of limbs like back but slightly darker and more 

 tawny, the hairs without blackish tips ; tail essentially similar, 

 the extreme tip dark brown or blackish ; underfur everywhere 

 dull yellowish, the hairs with slaty bases. 



Skull and teeth. — The skull, though of about the same length 

 as that of Marmota marmota, is broader and more robust in 

 general form, and all ridges for muscular attachment are more 

 prominent. Nasals less abruptly bent downward anteriorly and 

 less narrowed posteriorly, their combined breadth at level of 



