THE MARMOTS. 



95 



r* 



ALYISE MA11.MOT. 



(A. pruino'Acs), which measures from twenty-three to twenty -five inches in length of body, appears 

 to be most abundant in the north-western parts of the continent, and is said to range northward 

 as far as the Arctic Circle. The Marmots live usually in large societies in extensive burrows, 

 which they form underground ; and in some localities, as on the great plains of Russia and 

 Siberia, their dwelling-places are described as producing a remarkable effect, owing to the multitude 

 of little hillocks forruei by the earth thrown out of their burrows. During the summer they arc 

 in a state of constant activity, playing and running about in search of food in the neighbourhood 

 of their dwellings. The winter they pass in a state of torpidity, in a comfortable chamber lined 

 with soft herbage, and protected from the outside cold by the closure of the main passage leading 

 into their abode. For a time after their retirement for the winter they continue active in their 

 domicile, and feed upon the stores of food which they have laid up during the summer ; and as a 

 preparation for their winter sleep, they become exceedingly fat during the autumn. The Marmots 

 are the largest members of their family, and, indeed, some of them may be reckoned among the 

 larger Rodents. The Alpine Marmot measures more than twenty inches in length, and the Bobac 

 about fifteen inches, exclusive of the tail. 



FAMILY II. AXOMALURID^. 



Some curious African animals, closely resembling the Flying Squirrels, and at first regarded as 

 belonging to that group, were formed by Mr. Waterhouse into a distinct genus, which he called 

 Anomalurus, in allusion to the peculiar characters presented by their tail. This organ, which is long 

 and well clothed with hair, although not so bushy as in the true Squirrels, has on the lower surface 

 of its basal portion a double series of horny scales, which project from the skin, and probably serve to 

 assist the animal in climbing upon the branches of trees. 



Besides this peculiarity, these animals exhibit certain other characters which have induced modern 



