44 CLASS I. MAMMALIA. ORDER V. EDENTATA. 



that had stored in its pouches a quantity of beans, which, 

 when taken out and laid in a heap, appeared to exceed the 

 bulk of its whole body. The Canada rat is almost equally 

 remarkable for the size of these receptacles. 



Of the Alpine Marmot some account will be given here- 

 after. There is another species, however, which deserves a 

 short notice. This is the Louisiana Marmot, usually known 

 by the name of the prairie dog, from a slight resemblance of 

 its cry to the barking of a small dog. It is a sprightly and 

 interesting little animal, inhabiting the country around the 

 Missouri and Arkansas rivers, and is found in villages from a 

 few acres to several miles in extent, which are called by the 

 hunters, prairie dog villages. It lives in burrows, the entrance 

 to which is in the summit or side of a small mound of 

 earth, somewhat elevated, but rarely to the height of eighteen 

 inches. This mound, particularly around the entrance, is 

 trodden down like a pathway. They delight, in pleasant 

 weather, to sport about the entrance of their burrows, and 

 five or six individuals may be seen sitting on a single mound. 

 When alarmed, if the object of terror be near at hand, they 

 retreat immediately into their holes ; but if at a distance, 

 they remain for some time barking and flourishing their 

 tails, or sitting erect to reconnoitre. 



The Porcupine is covered with hard and sharp spines, which 

 afford it a natural protection against the attacks of other 

 animals. In this respect it resembles the hedgehog, and, were 

 external appearance alone regarded, would be arranged with 

 it ; but both its structure and its habits of life are different, 

 and it is obviously intended for subsisting upon vegetable 

 food. 



V. Edentata, Toothless apimals, so called from the 

 absence of the ii.cisive, and sometimes also of the canine and 

 grinding teeth. Their toes are terminated by very large, thick, 

 and strong claws, which approach in some degree to the 

 nature of hoofs. The animals of this order are likewise 

 remarkable for a great degree of torpor, listlessness, and indis- 

 position to motion ; but some more than others. The sloth, 

 the ant-eater, and armadillo, are among them ; and of each 

 of these there are several species. 



The Three-toed Sloth is an animal w.hose very aspect is 

 painful and disgusting, from its excessive ugliness and defor- 

 mity. The expression of its countenance and its whole atti- 

 tude, indeed, convey to the beholder the impression, that its 

 very existence is a burden. It is about the size of a cat. Its 



