1843.] Notice of two Marmots. 411 



Remarks. — I cannot doubt that the above two species are distinct, 

 because the Trans- Hemalayan animal is nearly twice as large as the 

 Hemalayan, and possesses a proportionately much shorter tail, not to 

 dwell on the difference of habitat, which however seems to be invaria- 

 ble. In structure and in manners the two species, for the most part, 

 correspond entirely, and the difference of colours is chiefly in intensity 

 of hue. 



Many years ago I possessed, alive, a specimen of the larger or Tibe- 

 tan species of Marmot, which was as tame as a rabbit, and lived at large 

 in the house. I have lost my notes on it, but recur to the fact, lest any 

 one should tax me with multiplying species incautiously. I cannot 

 now doubt, on full consideration, that the larger and lesser species are 

 distinct ; and I may add, that in my old specimen of the larger one, the 

 crowns of the cheek teeth are nearly levelled by attrition. I have 

 recently had two or three of the lesser species alive for months in my 

 garden. The last lived above a year and quarter with me, when it died 

 of an accidental wound. These individuals dwelt together in amity, 

 were very somnolent by day, more active towards night and in warm 

 weather, but did not fall into a permanent sleep in the cold season, 

 perhaps because they were regularly exposed to the sun in the day 

 time. They were fed on dry grains and on fruits, such as pears, pome- 

 granates, and plantains. They slept rolled into a ball and buried in 

 the straw, with which their case was amply supplied. Over their meals 

 they would frequently chatter a good deal in a very audible tone, but 

 were usually quite silent. They were very tame and gentle for the 

 most part, but would sometimes bite and scratch like rabbits, uttering 

 a somewhat similar cry. On foot they are by no means active, though 

 more so than the Rhizomys. Nor are they very prone to digging, but 

 will slowly excavate a subterrene abode for themselves if permitted. 

 Their structure is plantigrade, but of the ambulatory, not fossorial or 

 scansorial modification of that type ; and, whilst their massive heads 

 and jaws and powerful incisors indicate immense power in reaching, as 

 well as masticating their food, their talons exhibit no development of 

 the pre-eminent digging type. The following particulars of the external 

 and internal organization of the lesser species will probably prove 

 acceptable to the real students of Zoology^ Head large, massive, 

 conico-depressed, with eyes and ears equally and considerably remote 



3 H 



