232 NATURAL HISTORY. 



THE MARMOT. 



THE Marmot when taken young, is more capable 

 of being tamed than any other wild animal, and nearly 

 as much so as our domestic ones. It will easily learn 

 to perform feats with a stick, to dance, and to obey 

 the voice of its master. It bears a great antipathy at 

 the dog ; and when it becomes familiar in a house, and 

 is certain of being supported by its master, it will, in 

 his presence, attack the largest dogs, and boldly fasten 

 upon them with its teeth. Though this creature 

 is not quite so large as a hare, it is of a more 

 squat make, and has great strength joined to great 

 agility. It has four teeth in the front of the jaw, 

 which are long and strong enough to inflict a terrible 

 wound, and yet, unless provoked to it, it neither attacks 

 dogs, nor does mischief to any other creature. If care 

 be not taken, however, it will gnaw the furniture of 

 an house, and will even make holes through wooden 

 partitions. 



As the marmot has very short thighs, and the toes 

 of its paws are formed much like those of the bear, so 

 it often sits erect, and walks with ease, like that ani- 

 mal, upon its hind feet. With its fore paws it carries 

 its food to its mouth, and eats in an upright posture 



