Division Of Labour


The Alpine marmots are said to act in concert in the collection of

materials for the construction of their habitations. Some of them, we are

told, cut the herbage, others collect it into heaps; a third set serve as

waggons to carry it to their holes; while others perform all the functions

of draught horses. The manner of the latter part of the curious process is

this. The animal who is to serve as the waggon lies down on his back, and

extending his four limbs as wide as he can, allows himself to be loaded

with hay; and those who are to be the draught horses trail him thus loaded

by the tail, taking care not to overset him. The task of thus serving as

the vehicle being evidently the least enviable part of the business, is

taken by every one of the party in turn.



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