UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 303 



much confidence at the mouth of their burrows, barking at the in- 

 truder as he approaches, with a fretful and harmless intrepidity. Their 

 note resembles that of the little toy-dog : the yelps are in quick and 

 angry succession, attended by rapid and convulsive motions, as if they 

 were determined to sally forth in defence of their freehold. When at 

 rest, their position is generally erect on their hind feet and rump; 

 and when alarmed they retreat into their subterraneous apartments. 

 They feed on the grass of their village, the limits of which they 

 never venture to exceed. As soon as the frost commences, they 

 shut themselves up in their caverns, and remain in a torpid state 

 until the spring. The flesh of this animal is not unpleasant to the 

 taste.* 



The Wolves are said to be enemies of the Marmots, and to commit 

 great havock among them.t The Rattle Snakes likewise frequent 

 their villages to devour the inhabitants. Pike says: "It is extremely 

 dangerous to pass through their towns, as they abound with Rattle 

 Snakes, both of the yellow and black species; and strange as it may 

 appear, I have seen the IVisstonwish, (Prairie Dog) the Rattle Snake, 

 the Horn Frog (Horned Lizard)^ and a land Tortoise all take refuge 

 in the same hole. I do not pretend to assert, that it was their com- 

 mon place of resort, but I have witnessed the fact more than in one 

 instance.§ 



It is said that the Horned Lizard and a small snake live habitually 

 with the Marmots : the Indians call the snake the Dog's guard, and 

 entertain many superstitious notions respecting these animals.|| 



Columbia Marmot. From the description which follows, taken from 

 the History of Lewis and Clark's expedition, vol. ii, p. 173, we are in- 

 clined to consider the animal a Marmot, and have named it accordingly. 

 We have not learnt whether or no a specimen of this animal has 

 been preserved. A stuffed skin of the Louisiana Marmot, is in the 

 Museum of Mr. Peale. 



"There is a species of Squirrel, which we have denominated the 

 Burrowing Squirrel. He inhabits the plains of the Columbia, and 

 somewhat resembles those found on the Missouri.** He measures 

 one foot and five inches in length, of which the tail comprises two 

 and a half inches only ; the neck and legs are short ; the ears are like- 

 wise short, obtusely pointed, and lie close to the head, and the aper- 

 ture larger than will generally be found among burrowing animals ; 

 the eyes are of a moderate size, the pupil black, and the iris of a dark 

 sooty brown; the whiskers are full, long and black; the teeth, and, 

 indeed, the whole contour, resemble those of the Squirrel ; each foot 

 has five toes : the two inner ones of the fore feet are remarkably 

 short, and are equipped with blunt nails, the remaining toes on the 

 front feet are long, black, slightly curved, and sharply pointed; the 

 hair of the tail is thickly inserted on the sides only, which gives it a 

 flat appearance, and a long oval form : the tips of the hair forming 

 the outer edges of the tail are white, the other extremity of a fox 

 red, the under part resembles an iron gray, the upper is of a reddish 

 brown; the lower part of the jaws, the under part of the neck, legs 



* History of Lewis and Clark's expedition, vol. i, p. 68— ii, p. 175, 



f Brackenridge's Views of Louisiana, p. 58. 



% Lacerta orbicularis. 



§ Pike's Journal, p. 156. 



|| Description of Ohio, &c. p. 168, Boston. 1812. 



** Prairie Dog. 



