22 



THE MARMOT. 



The Marmot, when taken young, is more 

 capable of being tamed, than any other wild 

 animal ; it will easily learn to perform feats with 

 a stick, to dance, and obey the voice of its 

 master. It bears a great antipathy to 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 on them with its teeth. They are 

 natives of the Alps and Pyrennean mountains, 

 and remain in a torpid state from the end of 

 September to the beginning of April. They 

 jive in societies, from five to fourteen in number, 

 in burrows which have several passages con- 

 structed with great art : the principal apart- 

 ment at the end is warmly lined with moss and 

 hay ; and it is asserted that this work is carried 

 on by the whole company ; that some cut the 

 finest grass, others pull it up, others take it in 

 their turn to convey it to the hole ; upon this 

 occasion, it is added, one of them lies on its 

 back, permits the hay to be heaped on its belly^ 

 keeping its paws upright to make room, and in 

 this manner is dragged, hay and all, to their 

 common retreat. Whenever they venture abroad, 



