HARE KIND. 155 



that animal, as an expression of their being pleas- 

 ed. As to the rest, milk is the only liquor they 

 like. They seldom drink water, and refuse wine. 

 When pleased or caressed, they often yelp like 

 puppies; but when irritated or frighted, 'they 

 have a piercing note that hurts the ear. They 

 are very cleanly animals, and, like the cat, retire 

 upon necessary occasions ; but their bodies have 

 a disagreeable scent, particularly in the heat of 

 summer. This tinctures their flesh, which, being 

 very fat and firm, would be very good, were not 

 this flavour always found to predominate. 



We have hitherto been describing affections in 

 this animal which it has in common with many 

 others ; but we now come to one which particu- 

 larly distinguishes it from all others of this kind, 

 and, indeed, from every other quadruped, except 

 the bat and the dormouse. This is its sleeping 

 during the winter. The marmot, though a native 

 of the highest mountains, and where the snow is 

 never wholly melted, nevertheless seems to feel 

 the influence of the cold more than any other, 

 and in a manner has all its faculties chilled up in 

 winter. This extraordinary suspension of life 

 and motion for more than half the year, deserves 

 our wonder, and excites our attention to consider 

 the manner of such a temporary death, and the 

 subsequent revival. But first to describe, before 

 we attempt to discuss. 



The marmot, usually at the end of September, 

 or the beginning of October, prepares to fit up its 

 habitation for the winter, from which it is never 

 seen to issue till about the beginning or the mid- 



