HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 367 



tain. There are two entrances to each ; and the cham- 

 ber to which they lead is deep and fpacious : the bottom, 

 is lined with mofs and hay, of which thefe provident ani- 

 mals lay in a ftore during fummer ; and, at the approach 

 of winter, {hut themfelves up in their holes by flopping 

 the entrances with earth, fo effectually, that no difcovery 

 can be made of the place of their retreat. The chamber 

 in which they lodge is large enough to contain a family 

 of from five to a dozen Marmots. They roll themfelves 

 up ; and being well covered with hay, remain in a torpid 

 ftate, infenfible to the rigours of the feafon, and perfect- 

 ly fecure from the ftorm that rages without; till the 

 cheering influence of the fun again calls them out to re- 

 new their exhaufted ftrength, to propagate their kind, 

 and provide for their future retreat. The torpid ftate 

 laits from about Michaelmas till April. They go in ex- 

 tremely fat, but gradually wade •, and at the end of their 

 long fleep, they appear lean and extremely emaciated. 



The Marmot produces once a year ; and the litter ge- 

 nerally confifts of three or four. 



When a number of them are feeding together, they 

 place one as a centinel, which makes a whiftling noife on 

 the leafl appearance of interruption ; and the party imme- 

 diately betake themfelves to their holes, the centinel driv- 

 ing up the rear. 



The Marmot is very playful, and eafily tamed. It 

 learns to hold a ftick, to dance, and to exhibit various 

 geftures : It will obey the voice of its mailer. Like the 

 Cat, it has an antipathy to Dogs, which it attacks fierce- 

 ly upon the leaft irritation. It is very apt to gnaw linen 

 or woollen fluffs, often fits upright, and walks with eafe 

 on its hind feet. — It eats in the manner of a Squirrel, 

 and carries its food to its mouth with its fore paws. 



