THE ALPINE MARMOT. 



about half a foot long, and tolerably bufhy; its body is thick; and its length, 

 from the nofe to the tail, about fixteen inches. 



In its natural ftate it fubfifts on roots, vegetables, and infects; but when 

 domefticated it will participate of other food, and is particularly fond of milk, 

 which it laps with a murmuring noife, expreflive of fatisfadion. 



Its dwelling is ufually in fubterraneous holes, confirming of two entrances 

 and three chambers, carefully lined with mofs and hay. At the approach 

 of winter the animals retire to thefe afylums, and obviate the dread of 

 intrufion by Hopping up each entrance, in the moll effectual manner, with 

 earth. Here they remain, from five to twelve in a chamber, completely 

 covered with hay, and infenfible to the rigours of the feafon, till the 

 invigorating influence of the fun awakens them to a fenfe of their wants, and 

 calls them forth to love and induftry. 



When they retire to their holes, which is generally at Michaelmas, they 

 are extremely fat, but they gradually lofe their flelh, and, on their return in 

 April, they appear lean and emaciated. If they are difcovered and taken out 

 during the torpid Hate, the}' remain infenlible and inanimate, unlefs brought 

 before a fire, which foon revives them. 



When a number of thefe animals are at food, an individual is placed as 

 a centinel, to give timely notice of any approaching danger, which it 

 accordingly does by a fhrilt whittle, that operates as the fignal for a general 

 and immediate retreat to the private caverns. 



Marmots are faid to be eafily tamed: they are remarkably playful, and 

 will learn to hold a Hick, to dance, to exhibit a variety of geftures, and - 

 readily to obey the voice of their owner. When they are irritated, or 

 confcious of an impending florai, they whittle with fuch firength and 

 acutenefs as to pierce the ear, but at other times their voice refembles the 

 murmuring of a young puppy. 



They feem to have a violent antipathy to Dogs, which they will attack 

 fiercely upon the flighted provocation : they are very apt to gnaw linen or 

 woollen clothes, and always eat in the manner of a Squirrel, carrying their 

 food to their mouth with their fore paws. They produce annually, and the 

 litter generally confifts of three or four young ones. 



