BOBAe 
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they retire with a slow pace ; and sit upright near 
the entrance, giving a frequent whistle, and listen^ 
ing to the approach. In places where they live in 
large families, they always place a centinel to give 
Oolite of aiiy danger, during the time when the 
rest are employed in feeding. 
They are Mid* gdod-ftatftred* and timid. They 
tkid only Oft vegetables J- Which they go in search 
of ih the morning, ahd about the middle of the 
day. They sit ori their hams when they eat, and 
carry the food to their mouth with their fore paws ; 
and in this posture it ts that they defend themselves 
when attacked. When they are irritated, or when 
any One attempts to lay hold of them* they bite des- 
perately, and utter a very shrill cry.^--In summer 
thfey eat Vbfaciotisly * but remain torpid all winter, 
except When kept in very warm places ; and even 
then they eat but little* and will, if possible, escape 
into softie Comfortable place* in Which to pass this 
dreary season ; but they return to tjieir master in 
the spring. They very sooft become tame, even 
When taker! of full age, and the young Ones are 
familiar frofti the moment they are caught. 
The flesh is eatable ; and, except that it is some* 
What rank, rOiTetiibles that of the hare. The fat is 
tised for dressiftg leather and furs ; and the skins 
are employed by the Russians for clothing. The 
feftiale brings forth early in the spring, and has 
usually six or eight young ones at a lifter. 
