934 STANDING SENTINEL. 
cart is taken in his turn by each of the per- 
formers. ‘I have seen them practise this 
mode of conveyance,” says a French travel- 
ler in the Ukraine, ‘* and have had the curi- 
osity to watch them at it for several days 
successively.” The dwellings which they 
construct and furnish with so much industry 
and care, are the places in which they pass 
three-fourths of their lives. Into these they 
retire from the rain, and from every ap- 
proach of danger; and they never come 
abroad but in fine weather, and even then 
but to a short distance. 
When out of their holes, one of the band 
stands sentinel, while the others play about, 
or cut grass for making hay. If the senti- 
nel perceives a man, an eagle, a dog, or any 
dangerous living thing, he alarms his friends 
by a loud whistle, and is himself the last to 
enter the hole. They have a special fear or 
horror of the dog. 
The Marmots leave their holes at break 
of day to feed; but do not bring out their 
young ones till the sun has risen. When 
they make their appearance, they frolic in 
every direction; run and leap after. each 
