CASAN MARMOT 037 



Thefe animals generally dwell in the deferts, 

 and dig holes in the declivities of mountains, 

 provided the earth be blackifti. Their holes are 

 not of equal depths, and are feven or eight feet 

 long, never ftraight, but winding, and have 

 from two to five entries, the diftances of which 

 are unequal, being from two to feven feet a- 

 funder. In thefe holes they make different a- 

 partments, and amaf$ in them their winter pro- 

 vifions during the fummer. In the cultivated 

 fields, they colle£t ears of corn, peafe, lint, and 

 hemp feeds, and place them feparately in different 

 departments of their holes. In uncultivated 

 lands, they colled the feeds of various herbs. 

 During fummer, they feed upon grains, herbs, 

 roots, and young mice ; for, when the mice are 

 large, the fouflik is unable to kill them. Befide 

 their magazines of provifions, thefe animals dig 

 feparate holes fome feet dirtant from the former, 

 in which they repofe. They throw all their 

 ordure out of their retreats. The females bring 

 forth from two to five young at a litter, which 

 are blind and naked, and begin not to fee till 

 after the hair appears. The time of geftation 

 is not exadly known. 



IX. 



