115 



ALPINE MARMOT. 



Arctomys Marmota. A. capite cruriculato, corpore fusco rubtut 



rufescentc, Lin. Syst. Nat. Gmd. p. 141. 

 Brown Marmot, rufous beneath. 

 Mus Marmota. M. cauda abbrcciata svbpilosa, auricufis rotim- 



datis, buccis gibbis. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. Si. 

 Mus Alpinus. Gesn. Quadr. p. 743. Aldr. dig. p. 445. 

 La Marmotte. Buff. 8. p. 219. pi. 28. 

 Alpine Marmot. Pennant Qjadr. 2. p. 128. 



THIS species is a native of the Alps and of the 

 Pyrenean mountains, and is most frequent in 

 those of Savoy and Swisserland, inhabiting: the 



/ O 



higher regions, and feeding on various roots, 

 plants, insects, &c. It climbs readily, and can 

 ascend the rocky eminences and fissures with 

 great facility. Its general size is somewhat larger 

 than that of a rabbet ; measuring about sixteen 

 inches to the tail, which is about six inches long:. 



o 



The colour of the Marmot, on the upper parts, 

 is a brownish or rather ta\vny ash-colour; the 

 legs and under parts being of a bright tawny or 

 ferruginous tinge : the head is rather large, and 

 flattish ; the ears short and hid in the fur, and 

 the tail thick and bushy. The account of this 

 species, as given by Gesner, and copied by Buf- 

 fon and others, with the addition of a few parti- 

 culars, will be sufficient for its general history. 

 It is an animal which delights in the regions of 

 frost and snow, and is found only on the tops of 

 high mountains. In such situations several indi- 

 viduals unite in forming a place of retreat, which 



