HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 399 



THE MARMOT. 



(Mi/s Marinota Linn. Lc Mannotte, Buff.) 



HAS been placed by naturalists in the same class 

 with the Hare and the Rat; and on examining its 

 parts, we find a partial agreement with both those 

 animals. In its nose and lips, as well as in the 

 general form of its head, it resembles the Hare ; its 

 ears are like those of the Rat, with which it like- 

 wise agrees in the number and form of its teeth and 

 claws: in other respects, it is no way similar to 

 either of those kinds ; and is still farther separated 

 from them by habitudes which seem peculiar to 

 itself, and distinguish it from almost every other 

 species of quadruped. 



The Marmot inhabits the highest regions of the 

 Alps; and is likewise found in Poland, Ukraine, 

 and Chinese Tartary. 



It is somewhat less than a Hare: its ears are 

 round, and so short, that they are almost hid in the 

 fur; its tail is short and bushy; the hair on the 

 back is of a brownish ash colour; and that on the 

 belly reddish, soft, and bushy. Its voice resembles 

 the murmuring of a young puppy; when irritated, 



