322 mVISION I. VERTEBRAL ANIMALS. — CLASS I. MAMMALLV. 



only a few acres, ami in others spreading over the country for miles to- 

 getlier. They are composed of slightly elevated mounds, having the form 

 of a truncated cone, about two feet in width at the base, and seldom rising 

 as higii as eighteen inches above the surf ice of the soil. The entrance is 

 placed eitiier at the top or on the side, and the whole mound is beaten down 

 externally, especially at the summit, resembling a nuich used f(>ot-i)ath. 

 From tlie entrance the passage into the mound descends vertically for one 

 or two feet, and is thence continued obliquely downwards, until it tci-minates 

 in an apartment, within which the industrious marmot constructs, on the 

 approach of the cold season, a comfortable dormitory for his winter's sleep. 

 This room is composed of fine grass, and is globular in form, with an open- 

 ing at the top capable of admitting the finger, and the whole is so firndy 

 compacted that it might, without injur}', be rolled over the floor. 



The prairie marmots are represented as being so gentle and sociable, (hat 

 a species of owl, it is said, takes up its aljodc in their burrows, and dwells 

 witli them in the most iriendly manner. 



A tra\eller in the west relates, that "it is delightfld, during fine weather, 

 to see these lively little creatures sporting aljout the entrance of their bur- 

 rows, which are ahva3's kept in the neatest repair, and often inhabited by 

 several individuals. When alarmed, they immediately take refuge in their 

 subterranean chambers ; or, if the dreaded danger be not immediately im- 

 pending, they stand near the brink of the entrance, bravely barking, and 

 flourishing their tails, or else sit erect to reconnoitre the movements of the 

 enemy." 



Clenus ]\Ivoxus. — The generic characters are perfect clavicles, grinders, 

 four aliove, and the same niunljer below in each side, tail long, covered with 

 rather Ioult hairs, directed laterallv. 



J\L/. AveUdnarin.'i. — Common Dormouse. The length of this handsome 

 looking little animal is about five inches. The general color is light 3-el- 

 lowish-red, gradually becoming paler beneath ; the fore part of the neck 

 nearly white, the tail dull-red. In classifying this animal, some authors, 

 with Linnanis, place it with the mice; while others have recorded it as a 

 species of sipiirrel. It is, however, unquestionably a connecting link between 

 those groups. The tail is less bushy than that of the squirrel, and the hind 

 legs elongated. 



In its habits the dormouse also resembles the squirrel, inasmuch as it 

 climbs with facility, and exhibits great liveliness and agility ; but it is also 

 allied to the mice, and passes a great part of its time on the ground, feeding 

 on grass, corn, and various small fruits. It resides in thickets, generally 

 remote from human habitations, placing its nest in bushes, and forming it 

 of grass and leaves, intricately interlaced, and disposed in a roundish form, 



