100 ' LECTURE III. 



cies not often to be found in the European Mu- 

 seums : it is called the Patagonian Cavy, and is 

 considerably larger than a Hare, and of a pale 

 brown colour, with a large black patch on the 

 hind part of the body. It occurs in the Leverian 

 Museum, and in that of the late Mr. John Flunter. 

 Another genus lately subtracted from that of 

 Mus, is called Arctomys or Marmot. It contains 

 but few species, most of which are of a thick 

 form, with large, roundish, and somewhat flattened 

 heads, and small mouths, which, when held open, 

 appear longer in their perpendicular than their 

 transverse diameter. The Marmots feed on roots, 

 grain, and leaves, which they often collect into 

 heaps; they reside in subterraneous holes or 

 burrows, and sleep during the winter. The most 

 common European species is the Alpine Marmot, 

 a native of the Alps and the Pyrenean mountains. 

 Its general size is rather superior to that of a 

 Rabbet, and its colour a tawny grey. It inhabits 

 the higher part of the Alps, in which situations 

 several individuals unite in forming a subter- 

 raneous retreat, well lined with moss and hay, 

 which they prepare during the summer, as if con- 

 scious of the necessity of providing for their long 



