QUADRUPEDS. 73 
the approaching winter, as if conscious that the forest 
would then be stripped of its fruits and foliage. His tail 
is to him as a parasol to defend him from the rays of 
the sun, as a parachute to secure him from dangerous 
falls when leaping from tree to tree, and as a sail in cross- 
ing the water, a voyage he sometimes performs in Lap- 
land on a bit of ice or a piece of bark inverted in the 
manner of a boat. 
The American Flying Squirrel, ( Pteromys volucella,j 
has a large membrane proceeding from the fore feet to the 
hind legs, which answers the same purpose as the Squir- 
rel's tail, and enables him to give surprising leaps that 
almost resemble flying. In the act of leaping, the loose 
skin is stretched out by the feet ; whereby the surface of 
the body is augmented, the animal becomes lighter in pro- 
portion to its bulk, the acceleration of its fall is retarded, 
and it appears to sail or fly from one place to another. 
Where numbers of them are seen at a time leaping, they 
appear like leaves blown off by the wind. 
THE MARMOT, OR ALPINE RAT, 
( Arctomys Marmotta.) 
THIS is a harmless inoffensive animal, and seems to bear 
enmity to no creature but the dog. He is caught in 
Savoy, and carried about in several countries for the 
amusement of the mob. When taken young, this crea- 
ture is easily tamed, and possesses great imiscular 
