400 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



or frightened, it makes a whistling noise, very loud 

 and piercing. 



It feeds on insects, roots, and vegetables; but 

 when tamed, is remarkably fond of milk and butter. 

 It lives in holes, formed with great art in the side 

 of a mountain. There are two entrances to each; 

 and the chamber to which they lead is deep and 

 spacious: the bottom is lined with moss and hay, 

 of which these provident animals lay in a store 

 during summer: and at the approach of winter, 

 shut themselves up in their holes by stopping the 

 entrances with earth, so effectually, that no dis- 

 covery can be made of the place of their retreat. 

 The chamber in which they lodge is large enough 

 to contain a family of from five to a dozen Marmots. 

 They roll themselves up, and being well covered 

 with hay, remain in a torpid state, insensible to the 

 rigours of the season, and perfectly secure from the 

 storm that rages without ; till the cheering influence 

 of the sun again calls them out to renew their ex- 

 hausted strength, to propagate their kind, and 

 provide for their future retreat. The torpid state 

 lasts from about Michaelmas till April. They go 

 in extremely fat, but gradually waste; and at the 

 end of their long sleep, they appear lean and ex- 

 tremely emaciated. 



The Marmot produces once a year, and the litter 

 generally consists of three or four. 



When a number of them are feeding together, 

 they place one as a centinel, which makes a whist- 

 ling noise on the least appearance of interruption ; 

 and the party immediately betake themselves to 

 their holes, the centinel driving up the rear. 



The Marmot is very playful, and easily tamed. 

 It learns to hold a stick, to dance, and to exhibit 



