148 



OLD PLYMOUTH TRAILS 



England with the pioneers and adapted to use in 

 this country. Probably it is said in England of 

 the dormouse, which also sleeps winters, as does 

 the woodchuck, though I believe lightly compared 

 with our animal. The woodchuck is far too 

 sound a sleeper to wake up on a February day, 

 whatever the inducements. 



That matter is no more to be taken seriously 

 than is the old-time Yankee query — 



How much wood would a woodchuck chuck, 

 If a woodchuck would chuck wood? 



which seems to me to emphasize the whole popu- 

 lar conception of the animal. Of all the common 

 New England animals he is the one taken least 

 seriously. Even if he does eat up all our sum- 

 mer garden we are apt to grin as we bear it; or 

 if we do go out and "get" him, we do it with a 

 forgiving, pitying smile. 



