102 ACROSS MONGOLIAN PLAINS 



The inarmots hibernate during the winter, and retire 

 to their burrows early in October, not to emerge until 

 April. When they first come out in the spring their fur 

 is bright yellow, and the animals contrast beautifully 

 with the green grass. After the middle of June the 

 yellow fur begins to slip off in patches, leaving exposed 

 the new coat, which is exceedingly short and is mouse- 

 gray in color. Then, of course, the skins are useless for 

 commercial purposes. As the summer progresses the 

 fur grows until by September first it has formed a long, 

 soft coat of rich gray-brown which is of considerable 

 economic value. The skins are shipped to Europe and 

 America and during the past winter (1919-1920) were 

 especially popular as linings for winter coats. 



We had an opportunity to see how quickly the de- 

 mand in the great cities reaches directly to the center of 

 production thousands of miles away. When we went to 

 Urga in May prime marmot skins were worth thirty 

 cents each to the Mongols. Early in October, when we 

 returned, the hunters were selling the same skins for 

 one dollar and twenty-jive cents apiece. 



The natives always shoot the animals. When a Mon- 

 gol has driven one into its burrow, he lies quietly beside 

 the hole waiting for the marmot to appear. It may be 

 twenty minutes or even an hoxir, but the Oriental pa- 

 tience takes little note of time. Finally a yellow head 

 emerges and a pair of shining eyes glance quickly about 

 in every direction. Of course, they see the Mongol but 

 he looks only like a mound of earth, and the marmot 

 raises itself a few inches higher. The hunter lies as 



