1*HE ALPINE HARE. 4S5 



feither beneath the overhanging rocks, or between 

 the chasms, or around the trunk of some tree. The 

 way to these heaps is marked by a worn path ; and 

 in many places the plants appear scattered, as if to 

 be dried in the sun and harvested properly. The 

 heaps are formed like round or conoid ricks ; and 

 are of various sizes, according to the number of the 

 society employed in forming them.' They are some- 

 times about a man's height, and usually three or four 

 feet in diameter. 



Thus they wisely provide their winter's stock : 

 without which they must, in the cold season, infal- 

 libly perish ; being pre\ ented by the depth of snow, 

 from quitting their retreats in quest of food. They 

 select the most excellent vegetables, and crop theln 

 'when m the- fullest vigour. Thesethey make into the 

 best and greenest hay, by the very judicious man- 

 ner in which they dry them. The ricks they thus 

 form are the origin of fertility among the rocks ; for 

 the relics, mixed with the dung of the animals, rot 

 in the barren chasms, and create a soil productive of 



Vegetation. 



These ricks are also of great service to that part of 

 mankind who devote themselves to the laborious em- 

 ployment of Sciblc-hunting; for, being obliged to go 

 far from home, their horses would often perish for 

 want, had they not the provision of these industrious 

 little aniivjals to support them. They are easily to be 

 discovered bv their heiiHit and form, even when 

 covered with snow. 



The people o{ Jakutz are said to feed both their 



n 3 



