778 Notice of the Marmot of the Himalaya. [No. 118. 



crown, as they are high above the gum. Dental formula, incisors - molars 

 - The distance between the snout and the fore canthus of the eye is 

 greater than that to the base of the ear from the latter ; and so broad is 

 the head, that the eyes are l|th inch apart in straight measurement. The 

 general colour is a clearly fulvescent catsgrey, much like that of Felis Chaus, 

 and fading into pure rufescent yellow below ; the limbs and ears the same, 

 but deeper ; and the chaffron and end of the tail, dark brown. The fur is 

 close, thick, composed like a cat's, but rather harsher, and of two sorts, or 

 hairy and woolly: the hair, straight, elastic, about 11 inch of maximum 

 length, and triannulate as to colour from the base, with dusky-brown, 

 rufescent-yellow, and black ; the last and apical part being the least; the 

 woolly piles about one inch long, wavy, and void of the black tips ; hands, 

 feet, and face, dressed closely in soft hairs only. The following, then, 

 may serve for a specific character, perhaps. 



Jrctomys Himalayanus, of a rufescent cat-grey colour above, and pure 

 rufous yellow below ; the limbs more saturate ; the bridge of nose and 

 end of tail, deep brown ; the tail equal to | of the length of the animal 

 cylindric and bluff pointed ; the fur close, thick, composed of two sorts, and 

 trebly ringed in all the upper parts with dusky, rufescent yellow and 

 black ; the wool, without the last ring of the hair ; snout to vent 24 

 inches; tail 6 with hair; head 4| ; palm (with the nail) 2| ; planta 

 (ditto) 31. 



The habitat of this species is the Himalaya, and Kachar rarely, and very 

 commonly the sandy plains of Tibet ; gregarious in large bodies ; live in 

 burrows ; hibernate for four months ; have all the confident tameness of the 

 Bay Bamboo Rat of Nepal, which they greatly resemble in manners ; so 

 that the people say of both, that when approached by men, they never 

 think of running away ; but put up their fore-feet civilly, deprecating the 

 intrusion, and, if not heeded, resign themselves at once to captivity. The 

 fat of the Marmots is much prized for certain medicinal properties, and is 

 used as an unguent in rheumatism and gout. The cured skins are yet 

 more valued for dress, and form an important article of commerce. Many 

 come to Cathmandoo, and many more go to the towns of China, in the 

 course of trade. 



B. H. Hodgson. 



Nepal, June, 1841. 



