ORDER RODENTIA. 169 



limbs ; the under parts are white inclining to yellow, and 

 the latter half of the tail is black ; round the muzzle and the 

 toes the colour is whitish. 



The fur is very thick, particularly on the back, flanks, 

 belly, and outer side of the limbs, and especially on the 

 cheeks, where the length of hair entirely changes the appa- 

 rent proportions of the head. 



The Bobac, or Poland Marmot, very nearly resembles the 

 common or Alpine species. It appears, however, to be 

 larger, and to differ in colour, as stated by the Baron in the 

 text. The specimen we have figured was larger than a 

 Hare, of a pale ochrey colour, with the head, back, and 

 rump brownish. The Bobac, indeed, does not, like the 

 Alpine Marmot, inhabit the most elevated part of high 

 mountains, but seems to require a higher temperature, 

 which it finds in less elevated districts. It prefers dry soils, 

 and is most commonly found in Poland, but extends in 

 parallel latitudes, not exceeding 55°, perhaps even to 

 Kamtschatka. 



The burrows dug by the Bobacs are extremely deep, in 

 which they live in societies of from twenty to forty ; they 

 amass so much dry grass in a single burrow, that enough 

 is commonly found to feed a horse for a night. Pallas re- 

 lates a story which has been attributed to the Alpine spe- 

 cies, and also to Rats, but which may well stagger the most 

 credulous ; that when they have occasion to transport a 

 quantity of provision to their burrow, one lies on the back, 

 is laden by the rest in the manner of a cart, and then 

 drawn by the tail to the common magazine. 



Of the Souslik, or Variegated Marmot, it may be suffi- 

 cient to observe here, that it is much the prettiest of the 

 genus, being spotted, or waved with white, on a yellowish- 

 brown ground. It is partially carnivorous, and in its 

 hoards are occasionally found reserves of birds and small 

 quadrupeds, on which it feeds. 



