ALPINE HARE. 
they place either beneath the over-hangin; " 
rocks, or between the chasms, or roiind tn 
trunks of trees. These heaps are regular! 
formed into round or conical ricks ; and the !'i 
are of various sizes, according to the numb^. r * 
of the society employed in making them. The j-J 
are, sometimes, the height of a man and man j^i 
feet in diameter ; but, usually, they are aboii p 
three feet high. Being covered, in winter, b i* 
the snovv^, the animals form a trodden path fror! 
their holes to tliese repositories of their food 
Thus they wisely provide their winter stock ; 
without which, being prevented by the deptl 
of snow from quitting their retreats, in searcl i 
of provision, they must necessarily perish. 
" They seleft, says Mr. Pennant, " tl: 
best of vegetables, and crop them when in tli 
fullest vigour, which thev make into the be; 
and greenest hay, by the judicious manner 
which they dry it. These ricks are the origi 
of fertility among the rocks ; for therelique? 
mixed with the dung of the animals, rot i: 
the barren chasms, and create a soil produ6i:iv 
of vegetables. 
Thes 
