THE BOBAC. 453 



and assail both with their teeth and claws all those 

 who approach them. 



When taken young, the Marmot is easily domes- 

 ticated. It will walk on its hind-feet, sit upright, 

 and carry food to its mouth with its fore-feet. It 

 will dance with a stick between its paws, and per- 

 form various tricks to please its master. — It has a 

 singular antipathy to Dogs, and will maintain an at- 

 tack from even the most formidable of them. 

 Though sm.all, it is extremely stqut, and in addition 

 to this, peculiarly dexterous ; ai^d notwithstanding 

 it is able to bite most cruelly, it attacks no one un- 

 less previously irritated. 



When they are on the ground, these creatures 

 may be caught without difficulty ; but except when 

 torpid, they are not so easily taken in their holes, 

 since they dig very deep when in danger. — In win- 

 ter they are taken in great numbers ; both on ac- 

 count of their flesh, which is very tender and deli- 

 cate, and for their skins. Their fat is esteemed 

 medicinal by the inhabitants of the Alps. 



THE BOBAC 



The Bobac is about the size of the Alpine Mar- 

 mot. Its colour is grey above, and beneath fulvous 

 or ferruginous. The tail is short, somewhat slender, 

 and very hairy.— It is a native of Poland, Russia, 

 and other mountainous parts of Europe. 



* Synonyms.— Arctomys Bobac. Liiiiu GmcL — Bobak. Btcjly.' 

 S/iav's Gen. Zuol.pL 141. 



Gg 3 



