CLASS I. MAMMALIA: ORDER 1. RODENTIA. 
361 
danger, by a shrill wliistle, which may be heard at a great distance. This signal of alarm is re- 
peated from one to another as far as their habitations extend. They feed on roots and herbs; the 
female has two or three young at a time, and sits on her hind-legs to nurse her progeny. They 
remaiii in their burrows in winter. 
The Indians catch these animals by setting traps at their burrows, and esteem their liesh as 
good eating. By sewing a number of their skins together, they make good blankets. A speci- 
men of this kind of marmot was lately in the Zoological Gardens of London, 
Lewis's Marmot, A. Lewisii. — This animal is of the size of the gray rabbit ; the color is red- 
dish-brown, the feet being barred with white; the tip of the tail is white. The length of the body 
is sixteen inches; the tail, with the hair, five inches. The habits of this species are little known ; 
they, however, burrow in the earth, subsist on grain and grass, and sometimes ascend the trunks 
of trees for a short distance. They are found in Oregon. 
Genus SPERMOPHILE : Spcrmoiihilus. — This term is derived from the Greek sperma^ seed. 
resemble the squirrels somewhat, but more the marmots, being, like them, burrowing animals, 
and at the same time distinguished from them by having cheek-pouches. Hence they may be 
called Ckeelc-'pouchecl Marmots. There are several species in Europe, Asia, and North America, 
The SousLiK, >S', citilhis, is about eight inches long, and the tail one-third as long; its color 
is grayish-brown, marked with white rounded spots above; the color beneath is white. It lives 
solitaiy in burrows in the earth; feeds on grain and seeds, and frequently causes great destruc- 
tion to the crops. It is found in Bohemia, Hungary, and Ireland, and in some places in such 
abundance as to be a great pest to the farmers. It is said to be very fond of salt, and the term 
Souslik, meaning dainty-mouth, is given it in consequence. Many of them are caught on board 
the salt-vessels which navigate the Volga; the greediness of their appetite rendering them almost 
insensible to danger. 
Four species of Spermophile are known in Europe, and are found in Western Asia: the S, 
mzisims, S. musogaricus, S. fulvus, and S. undulatiis. The S. concolor is a species found in Persia, 
which ravages the granaries and corn-fields to obtain the means of storing its burrows, on which 
account the inhabitants make active war against it, yet without sensibly diminishing its numbers. 
Vol, L— 46 
