CLASS I. MAMMALIA: ORDER 1. RODENTIA. 



361 



danger, by a shrill whistle, which may be heard at a great distance. This signal of alarm is re- 

 peated from one to another as far as their habitations extend. They feed on roots and herbs; the 

 female has two or three young at a time, and sits on her hind-legs to nurse her progeny. They 

 remain in their burrows in winter. 



The Indians catch these animals by setting traps at their burrows, and esteem their flesh as 

 good eating. By sewing a number of their skins together, they make good blankets. A speci- 

 men of this kind of marmot was lately in the Zoological Gardens of London. 



Lewis's Marmot, A. Ltioisii. — This animal is of the size of the gray rabbit ; the color is red- 

 dish-brown, the feet being barred with white; the tip of the tail is white. The length of the body 

 is sixteen inches; the tail, with the hair, five inches. The habits of this species are little known ; 

 thev, however, burrow in the earth, subsist on grain and grass, and sometimes ascend the trunks 

 of trees for a short distance. They arc found in Oregon. 



Genus SPERMOPHILE: Spermophilus. — This term is derived from the Greek sperma, seed, 

 and phileo, to love, and therefore means that these are seed-lovers, or feeders upon grain. They 



THE SOUSLIK. 



resemble the squirrels somewhat, but more the marmots, being, like them, burrowing animals, 

 and at the same time distinguished from them by having cheek-pouches. Hence they may be 

 called Cheek-pouched Marmots. There are several species in Europe, Asia, and North America. 



The Souslik, S. citillus, is about eight inches long, and the tail one-third as long; its color 

 is grayish-brown, marked with white rounded spots above; the color beneath is white. It lives 

 solitary in burrows in the earth; feeds on grain and seeds, and frequently causes great destruc- 

 tion to the crops. It is found in Bohemia, Hungary, and Ireland, and in some places in such 

 abundance as to be a great pest to the farmers. It is said to be very fond of salt, and the term 

 Souslik, meaning dainty-mouth, is given it in consequence. Many of them a're caught on board 

 the salt-vessels which navigate the Volga; the greediness of their appetite rendering them almost 

 insensible to danger. 



Four species of Spermophile are known in Europe, and are found in "Western Asia: the S. 

 musicus, S. musor/aricus, S.fulvus, and S. tindulatus. The S.concolor is a species found in Persia, 

 which ravages the granaries and corn-fields to obtain the means of storing its burrows, on which 

 account the inhabitants make active war against it, yet without sensibly diminishing its numbers. 



Vol. I. — 46 



