ON TORPIDITY IN ANIMALS. 107 



1795, confirmed the foregoing opinion apparently beyond 

 exception: for a constant use of a generous and plentiful 

 diet had by this time completely conquered the torpid ha- 

 bit, which the animal in all probability contracted in its 

 native habitation from hunger, or more properly from a state 

 of inactivity voluntarily imposed on itself, with a view to 

 husband its stock of nuts, which would be frequently too 

 soon exhausted but for this precaution. Notwithstanding 

 the hard frost of January, it brayed the co!d with wonderful 

 fortitude, or if the expression be thought less exceptionable, 

 with wonderful indifference ; for it awaked every evening, 

 when it consumed in the course of .the night a quantity of 

 food amounting to 100 or 120 grains, and frequently gnawed - ' 

 the ice which covered the water in the cage: it **ven. uv. 

 took, in the coldest part of the month, to repair its nest, 

 which happened to receive an injury, and perfected the task 

 in one night, 



Many instances are recorded of animals being compelled Instances of 

 -, , . r . , i .,. animals chang- 



by strong circumstances to relinquish them cnaracte. ;s:ie h, ff their habits 



manners, in order to act a part contrary in several impor- 

 tant points to the uniform conduct of their species. Liu- 

 nseus has preserved the memory of a tame fieldfare, tiirdifs 

 pilaris, belonging to a vintner in Stockholm, wijich learned 

 to drink wine, and became bald in consequence of this 

 strange beverage. I also knew a mastiff, which was equally 

 fond of ale, and never failed to get drunk when an oppor- 

 tunity offered. The hyaena lives on the roots of fritiilary, 

 in the unfrequented parts of Africa ; but in the vicinities of 

 populous cities it changes into a disgusting glutton, feeding 

 on filth and carrion. May not the nasty ways of the domes- 

 tic hog be considered as so many new habits introduced hv 

 similar causes in lieu of the cleaner manners of the wild 

 animal? The pied flycatcher, muscicapa atricapWa, lives 

 on soft seeds and insects in this country; but its food is 

 very different in Norway, especially during winter, when it 

 repairs to the habitations of men, where it sui>sis>ts on tle.^h 

 dried in the smoke. Signior Spallaazani converted a pigeon, 

 which is granivorous, into a carnivorous bird, by inducing 

 it in the iirst place to eat fresh meat, and afterward to giy/e 

 a preference to putrid animal -jsubttanccs. In reality, the 



facts 



