CHAP. 55. (37.)—THE MICE OF PONTUS AND OF THE ALPS.
The mice of Pontus also conceal themselves during the
winter; but only the white ones. [Note] I wonder how those
authors, who have asserted that the sense of taste in these
animals is very acute, found out that such is the fact. The
Alpine mice, which are the same size as badgers, also conceal
themselves; [Note] but they first carry a store of provisions into
their retreat. Some writers, indeed, say that the male and
female, lying on their backs alternately, hold in their paws a
bundle of gnawed herbs, and, the tail of each in its turn being
seized by the teeth of the other, in this way, they are
dragged into their hole; hence it is, that at this season
their hair is found to be rubbed off their backs. There is a
similar animal also in Egypt, [Note] which sits, in the same way,
upon its haunches, and walks on two feet, using the fore feet
as hands.
