166 CLASS MAMMALIA. 



The Genus Arctomys of Gmelin (the Marmots), is dis- 

 tinguished principally by the pointed character of the cheek- 

 teeth. We shall proceed to notice the species. 



The Alpine Marmot is distinguishable exteriorly by a thick 

 inelegant body, short thick legs, large and flat head, short 

 truncated ears, short tail, incapable apparently of elevation, 

 and a general clumsiness of appearance. 



Predestined and constructed principally for a subterranean 

 existence, with few other requisites for nourishment than 

 the grass, whether green or dry, which surrounds its habi- 

 tation ; provided with a sufficient defence against most of 

 its enemies in its burrow, and passing one half the year in. 

 an uninterrupted lethargy, the Marmot has little occasion 

 for the sagacity of the Beaver or the Rat, or the agility of 

 the Squirrel or the Hare, or in fact any very positive cha- 

 racter to maintain its existence. Accordingly we find its 

 locomotion is slow, it raises itself not without an apparent 

 effort, and though a climber in its natural state, it is slowly, 

 and by pushing against the back, as well as by the feet, 

 that it mounts the clefts and projections of its native moun- 

 tains. 



The Marmots are not found at any distance from their 

 burrow, wherein they live in families, and a very remarka- 

 ble instinct is observed among them on occasion of quitting 

 their retreats. When they do so, one of the family is placed 

 on an elevated spot near the mouth of the burrow, and 

 within sight of the rest who are seeking food. If an enemy 

 or any new object be observed by the sentinel on guard, he 

 utters a shrill cry, when on the instant the whole company 

 make all haste to their retreat, or if too far from the mouth 

 of the burrow, seek instantly a hiding-place in some cleft or 

 hole. We have here a remarkable instance of the care of 

 Providence over the creatures of this world, among whom 

 universal inequality is not the least notable of the general 



