MAY. 
112 
C. — But I have more game which you have not seen : I left 
it in the kitchen^ but I will fetch it. It is a curious animal. 
WOODCHUCK. 
( Arctomys Monazi). 
— This is the Maryland Marmot f A^rtomt/s Monax J ; 
it is common in the temperate parts of this continent. In 
some places it is called the Ground Hog^ but here it is better 
known by the name of Woodchuck. It feeds on cabbage and 
other garden vegetables^ y<^^i^g corn^ &c. and devours vast 
quantities^ so that it is considered an injurious anim.al. He 
retires underground about the middle of September, and is 
generally very fat in spring. His burrows are long and cham- 
bered^ and he sleeps in these even during the summer^ taking 
care to make himself a soft bed^ for he is very attentive to his 
own comfort. He cannot run very fast^ and generally makes 
for his burrow if alarmed ; but he is easily caught by a dog. 
C. — Is the flesh good for food ? 
jp. — It is often eaten, and I have partaken of it ; but the 
fleshy and especially the fat^ has a rank and rather disagree- 
able taste. 
C. — I shot it in the woods, more from curiosity to know 
what it was^ than from any supposition of its being valu- 
able. In entomology I have made some new captures : I 
found in the woods the stump of a very large birch, which 
G 
