182 ARCTOMYDINJE. 



the Tibet side, never at a lower elevation than 12,000 feet; often up to 

 16,000 feet, It burrows in the ground, living in small societies, and 

 feeding on roots and vegetables. It lifts its food to its mouth with its 

 fore-feet. It is easily tamed. One was brought alive to Calcutta some 

 years ago, and did not appear, says Mr. Blyth, to be distressed by the 

 heat of that place. It was quite tame and fearless, and used to make 

 a loud chattering cachinnation. It was fond of collecting grass, &c., 

 and carrying it to its den. Travellers and sportsmen often meet with 

 this marmot, and speak of its sitting up in groups and suddenly 

 disappearing into their burrows. The cured skins form an important 

 article of commerce, and are brought to Nepal, and in great numbers 

 to China. 



169. Arctomys hemachalanus, 



HODGSON, olim A. tibetanus. Sammiong, Lepch, Chipi, Bhot. 

 J)run of Kashmir. 



THE BED MARMOT. 



Descr. General colour dark-gray with a full rufous tinge, which is 

 rusty and almost ochreous-red on the sides of the head, ears, and limbs, 

 especially in summer ; bridge of the nose and last inch of the tail dusky- 

 brown; head and body above strongly mixed with black, which hue 

 equals or exceeds the pale one on these parts ; claws long ; pelage softer 

 and fuller than in the last. 



Length, head and body about 1 3 inches ; tail 5 J. 



This species is not fully recognized, and Blyth states that the speci- 

 mens of the Asiatic Society did not enable him to determine the point. 

 Hodgson, however, insists on their distinction, and some skins which I 

 saw at Darjeeling incline me to consider this a distinct species. The 

 Lepchas distinguish the Tibet marmot from this one by a prefix, signi- 

 fying mountain, from its occurring at higher elevations. Adams, 

 moreover, distinguishes the two, stating of this one that it is found at 

 elevations varying from 8,000 to 10,000 feet in Kashmir and the north- 

 west Himalayas, inhabiting fertile and secluded spots, forming burrows 

 on gentle slopes among stones, and emitting a loud wailing cry. 



Hodgson kept some of this species in his garden for some time. They 

 were somnolent by day, active at night, and did not hybernate in Nepal. 



