934 



region of neck from that of back ; feet buff, somewhat lighter 

 than outer surface of legs ; tail black or blackish brown, suffused 

 to a varying degree with buff, the light colour most conspicuous 

 at and near base. 



SJcull. — Apart from its much greater size the skull of Marmota 

 marmota resembles that of Citellus citellus in most of its more 

 essential features. The depth at front of brain-case and in 

 interorbital region is relatively less, and in adult individuals 

 there is a well developed sagittal crest on posterior half of brain- 

 case, with the result that dorsal profile while equally convex in 



FIG. 190. 

 Marmota marmota. Slightly reduced. 



front is noticeably flattened" posteriorly as compared with the 

 smaller animal. Ventral profile with no special peculiarities. 

 Outline of brain-case somewhat obscured by the enlarged 

 squamosals, the area of which, when skull is viewed from above, 

 considerably exceeds that ,of parietals ; constriction in front of 

 lambdoid region relatively wider and more evident than in 

 Citellus citellus. Lambdoid crest high, sometimes projecting 

 backward sufficiently to conceal occipital region in dorsal view. 

 Occiput lower relatively to its width than in G. citellus, the arch 

 slightly pointed at middle and essentially as high as middle 



