ALPINE MARMOT. 
77 
in their general apartment, that lies at the bottom. 
As the whole is made on the declivity of a moun- 
tain, there is no part of it on a level, but the 
apartment at the end. One of the branches, or 
openings issues out, sloping downwards ; and this 
serves as a kind of sink, or drain to the whole 
family, where they make their excrements, and 
where the moisture of the place is drawn away. 
The other branch, on the contrary, slopes upwards, 
and this serves as their door upon which to go 
out and in. The apartment at the end is very 
warmly stuccoed round with moss and hay, ot 
both which they make an ample provision during 
the summer. As this is a work of great labour, 
so it is undertaken in common ; some cut the 
finest grass, others gather it, and others take their 
turns to drag it into the hole. Upon this occasion, 
as we are told, one of them lies on its back, per- 
mits the bay to be heaped up on its belly, keeps its 
paws upright to make greater room ; and in this 
manner, laving still upon its back, it is dragged 
by the tail, hay and all, to their common retreat. 
This also some give as a reason for this hair being 
generally worn away on their backs, as is usually 
the case ; however, a better reason for this may 
be assigned, for their continually rooting up holes, 
and passing through narrow openings. But, be 
this at it will, certain it is that they all live toge- 
ther aad work in common to make their habita 
tion as snug and convenient as possible. In it 
they pass three parts of their lives ; into it they 
retire when the storm is high ; in it thef continue 
while it rains ; there they remain when apprehen- 
sive of danger, and never stir out except in fine 
weather, never going far from home even then. 
Whenever they venture abroad, one is placed as 
a sentinel, sitting upon a lofty rock/%hile the rest 
amuse themselves in playing about the green fields. 
