TEMPER. 935 
other, or sit upright, facing the sun, with an 
air of satisfaction. They love warmth, and 
when they think themselves secure, will bask 
in the sun for hours successively. 
The Marmot has a quick eye, and dis- 
covers an enemy at a considerable distance. 
He never dees the least harm to any other 
animal; and when himself attacked, he at- 
tempts to escape. If flight is impossible, he 
defends himself with spirit, even against 
men and dogs. Marmots sit upright when 
they eat, and carry the food to their mouths 
with their fore-paws. When irritated, or 
when any one attempts to lay hold of 
them, they bite desperately and utter a 
shrill cry. They are mild, good-natured, 
and timid, and soon become tame, even 
if taken at full age. The young ones 
are familiar from the moment that they are 
caught, and may be easily domesticated. 
They will walk upon their hind-feet, sit up- 
right, dance with a stick between their paws, 
and perform various other tricks taught 
them by their masters. Even in domesti- 
cation, however, they will but eat little 
during the winter; and escape to some 
