244 



MAMMALIA — MARMOT. 



tamed beyond a certain limit. They burrow like rabbits, and in much less 

 time. The exca%"ations which it forms are many yards long, oblique, and 

 winding, but not more than half a yard from the surface of the ground. It 

 is fond of Avarmth, making its nest of the finest and most delicate herbage ; 

 and seems sensible of the approach of bad weather by wrapping itself up 

 close in hay, with its head between its thighs. It sleeps during winter, 

 without nutriment. The Jerboa breeds several times in the summer, and 

 usually brings forth seven or eight young ones at a litter. The flesh is 

 reckoned one of the greatest of delicacies by the Arabs. They are found in 

 Syria, Phoenicia, Barbary, kc. 



THE LABRADOR JUMPING MOUSEi 



Is found in the fur countries as far north as Slave Lake, 

 above, and white beneath. 



Its color is brovvTi 



THE MARMOT. 2 



There seems to be a combination of the bear and the rat in the form of 

 the marmot. Its nose, its lips, and the form of its head, are like those of 

 the hare ; it has the hair and claws of the badger, and teeth of the beaver, 

 the whiskers of the cat, the paws of the hare, Avith a tufted tail and short 



1 Gerbillus Labradorius, Sabine. The genus GcrbiUus has two upper and two lower 

 incisors ; no canines ; six upper and six lower molars. Molars tuberculous ; posterior 

 extremities very long, with five toes, each with its proper metatarsal bone ; tail long, 

 covered with hair. 



2 Arcfomys marmoHa, Desm. The genus Arctomys has two upper and two lower 

 incisors; no canines ; ten upper and eight lower molars. Incisors very strong; molars 

 with ridges and blunt tubercles; body tliick and heavy ; head large; no cheek pouches ; 

 ears short and rounded ; eyes large ; feet robust, those before with four toes and a rudi- 

 mentary thumb ; those behind with five toes, the nails strong, compressed, and crooked, j 



