258 WANDERINGS OF A 



behind the lofty peaks of Haramuk. We had gained an ele- 

 vation of 10,500 feet above the level of the sea, and were now 

 in the region of snow. All was desolation, and a cold cutting 

 wind blew in gusts down the narrow mountain-gorges, which 

 were filled with ice. In vain we attempted to peer through 

 the gloom of the rapidly-advanciag night for our baggage and 

 servants ; but darkness came on, and found us still expectant 

 on the mountain-top. We had descended the northern face 

 of the ridge to a clump of stunted birch in search of a level 

 spot on which to pitch the tents, when all at once, in the 

 dismal solitude around, screams burst out of the ground ; 

 louder and louder became the cries ; the rocks sent back the 

 sounds ; we stood in astonishment, wondering what animal 

 could be producing such unearthly noises, and various were 

 our surmises, until one of our servants arrived and informed 

 us we were in the centre of a colony of red marmots (Aretomys 

 tihetanus). The " drun," as the red marmot is named by the 

 natives of these regions, is confined to certain situations at 

 high altitudes, and prefers fertile and secluded valleys, where 

 vegetation returns rapidly and is luxuriant. There this 

 active creature spends the summer months, surrounded by a 

 plentiful supply of food, until again forced to its burrow by 

 the cold and snow of winter. Their excavations are formed on 

 gentle slopes or under stones and rocks, where they delight 

 to sit erect and scream. Often the burrows are scattered 

 over the valley, where loud wailing cries may be heard for 

 miles along the mountain-sides. It is seldom they wander 

 for any distance from their habitations, and usually take up 

 a position close to the entrances, darting thereinto on the 

 approach of danger. , They frequently leap during progression, 

 at times using their tails to assist them. Wild garlic, onions, 

 and particularly a species of the former with yellow flowers, 



