MAMMALIA. 



321 



FIG. 347. Prairie-dog, and the owl and snake 

 that live in its burrow. 



from the sides and connecting the fore and hind limbs, 

 which enables them to leap great distances, the membrane 

 acting as a parachute, held out by the limbs, and bony, 

 boom-like appendages attached to them. 



The marmots are represented in this country by the 

 prairie-dog (Fig. 

 347). They in- 

 habit the plaips cf 

 the West. The fur 

 is reddish brown, 

 and lighter be- 

 neath. They live 

 in burrows in com- 

 munities, and utter 

 a sharp chirp re- ^j^BBBKJSIiBHtBK'C 



sembling a bark. 

 The burrowing- 

 owls and rattle- 

 snakes live with them, the latter probably preying upon 

 the young of both. 



The woodchuck is common in North America, attain- 

 ing a large size. Their fur is a grizzly color. 



VALUE. Six million squirrel-skins are used yearly by the trade. 

 The hairs of the tail are made into delicate paint-brushes. 



Beavers (Castor idee). The beavers, are represented in 

 America by one species. They are characterized by a 

 broad, flattened, scaled tail, that is used as a scull in 

 locomotion. They have five toes upon each foot, those 

 upon the hinder ones being webbed. They are aquatic 

 in their habits, living upon the bark of trees and other vege- 

 tation, or meat, when domesticated. They are famed for 

 their industry and intelligence in the construction of their 

 homes.* The young, from two to eight, are produced in 



* The beavers show great intelligence in making their habitations. 

 As it is necessary that the house should be under water, a small stream 



