3i6 HISTORY OF 



are seen, indeed by slow degrees to become leaner in proportion 

 to the slow attrition of their fluids ; but this is not perceptible, 

 except at the end of some months. Man is often known to 

 gather nourishment from the ambient air ; and these also may, in 

 some measure, be supplied in the same manner ; and having suf- 

 ficient motion in their fluids to keep them from putrefaction, and 

 just sufficient nourishment to supply the waste of their languid 

 circulation, they continue rather feebly alive than sleeping. 



These animals produce but once a-year, and usually bring 

 forth but three or four at a time. They grow very fast, and the 

 extent of their lives is not above nine or ten years ; so that the 

 species is neither numerous nor very much diflJ'used. They are 

 chiefly found in the Alps, where they seem to prefer the brow 

 of the highest mountains to the lowest ranges, and the sunny 

 side to that in the shade. The inhabitants of the country where 

 they chiefly reside, when they observe the hole, generally stay 

 till winter before they think proper to open it -, for if they begin 

 too soon, the animal wakes, and as it has a surprising faculty of 

 digging, makes its hole deeper in proportion as they follow 

 Such as kill it for food, use every art to improve the flesh, which 

 is said to have a wild taste, and to cause vomitings.' They, 

 therefore, take away the fat, which is in great abundance, and 

 salt the remainder, drying it somewhat in the manner of bacon. 

 Still, however, it is said to be very indifferent eating. This 

 animal is found in Poland under the denomination of the Bohah, 

 entirely resembling that of the Alps, except that the latter has a 

 toe more upon its fore-foot than the former. It is found also 

 in Siberia under the name of the Jevraska, being rather smaller 

 than either of the other two. Lastly, it is found in Canada by 

 the appellation of the Monax, diflPering only from the rest in 

 aving a bluish snout and a longer tail. 



FaoM the marmout, which differs from the hare so much in 



I Dii'tionuatre Raisonnee, vol. iii. p. 29. 



'2 This animal, tog-ether with the Paca, Apora, Giiinea Piar, Capibara, and 

 a few other species, are now arranged under the general appellation of 

 Cavy. They are distinguished by having two wedge-shaped front teeth in 

 each jaw, and eight grinders on each side in both jaws ; they have from 

 four to six toes on the fore-feet, aud from three to five on the Under : the 



