132 



PRAIRIE MARMOT. 



the stupendous elevation of the mountains with the 

 humble mounds cast up by these enterprising little 

 animals. Many of the barrows presented an ap- 

 pearance of considerable antiquity, and were gene- 



THE PRAIRIE MARMOT (Arctomys Ludovidani.) 



rally overgrown, excepting at the entrance, with 

 that scanty herbage which always marks the area of 

 the Prairie-dog villages. As the food of these wild 

 creatures consists of grass and herbaceous plants, it 

 seems difficult to assign a reason for the preference 

 which they invariably show to sandy and barren 

 places, unless that they may enjoy an unobstructed 

 view of the surrounding country, in order to be sea- 

 sonably warned of the approach of wolves or other 

 enemies. 



