^t Q^U A D R U £* E D 



THE MARMOTTE 



IS almoft as big as a hare, corpulent and fhort-leggcd j its head rc- 

 fembics a hare, but its ears are much fhorcer -, is clothed with very 

 Jong hair, and {horter fur beneath, black and grey. This length of 

 hair inrrcafes its appearance of corpulence, fo that its belly ieemii 

 to touch the ground. Tail tufted, well furniilied with hair, carried 

 ftraight with the body ; five claws behind, only four before. Thefe it 

 ufes as the fquirrcl does, to carry its food to its mouth j and often fits on 

 its hinder parts to feed. 



Is chiefly native of the Alps ; when taken young, eafily tamed, taught 

 to dance, to wield a cudgel, and to obey the voice of its mafter ; has an 

 antipathy to the dog j has great ftrength, joined to great agility ; has 

 four large cutting teeth, which are formidable weapons of defence j is, 

 in general, inoffenfive, and, except its enmity to dogs, feems to live in 

 friendfhip with every creature, un'lefs provoked ; runs much fwifter up 

 hill than down ; climbs trees with great eafe, and runs up the clefts of 

 rocks, or the contiguous walls of houfes, with great facility ; eats in- 

 difcriminately ficlh, bread, fruits, herbs, roots, pulfe, and infers ; is 

 particularly fond of milk and butter ; will fteal into a dairy, lap the 

 milk like a cat, purring all the while, as an exprefljon of pleafurc. 

 Milk is the only liquor they like ; feldom drink water, and refufe wine. 

 When pleafed, yelp like puppies j when irritated, have a piercing 

 note that hurts the ear. Are very cleanly animals, but have a difagree- 

 able fcent, particularly in fummer. Their flefh, being fat and firm, 

 would be very good, were not this flavour predominant. 



The marmotte, though native of the highefl: mountains, where the 

 fnow is never wholly melted, feems efpecially to feel the influence of 

 cold, and its faculties are benumbed in winter. This extraordinary fuf- 

 penfion of life and motion defervcs our attention. 



The marmotte, in September or Odtober, prepares its habitation for 

 winter rcfidence, and does not quit it till April. It is a deep hole on the 

 fide of a mountain, fpacious at bottcm, wherein feveral can refide with- 

 out crowding or injury. It refembles the letter Y ; the two branches be- 

 ing two openings, which unite and terminate in their general apartment 

 at the bottom. One branch Hoping downwards, and fcrving as a kind 

 of fink or drain ; the other Hoping upwards, fcrving as a door. The 

 y apatrmcnt 



