ON DEATH FROM COLD. 253 



lives are thus endangered, or the path to be pursued for the 

 advancement of our knowledge of them. 



Experiments have not been repeated sufficiently or with Desiderata, 

 due regularity: they have neither been as scientifically di- 

 rected, nor as scrupulously described, as the case requires. 

 It appears to me therefore an object worthy the attention of 

 the class, to point out these experiments; to indicate the 

 proper path of inquiry with a view to improvement ; to as- • 

 certain,- whether man be in fact, like the bear and the mar- 

 mot, an animal that cold benumbs and lays asleep without 

 killing; whether it be true, that he can endure being com- 

 pletely frozen like the serpent ; and whether in this extreme 

 case a gently graduated warmth, applied in time, and slowly 

 developed, would restore life. This might throw a great 

 light on the question, which Drs. Herholdt and Rafn have 

 yet treated but in part, and the term of which you have pro- 

 longed. 



We see that several animals destitute of vertebra?, among Difference in 

 those with vertebrae serpents, and among the mammalia a ani^aU.^ 

 great number of the smaller species with cutting teeth, sleep 

 three or four months, or even more, in a ^-ery moderate de- 

 gree of cold : that a greater degree, and this in different pro- 

 portions, is required for the several species of bears, the sleep 

 of which too, in this state of imperfect death, does not ap- 

 pear to be so profound, or the suspension of life so complete: 

 that man falls asleep in a still greater degree of cold : that it Man. 

 is more than probable, nay almost certain, that judicious " 

 means, prudently adminbtered, would be capable of awaking 

 him from this dangerous sleep, so near akin to death : and 

 that it might be the same with other animals, or, indeed, Perhaps all 

 with all animals, that are rendered torpid only by a degree be^rendere? 



of cold still greater than that which deprives man of the ap- torpid by cold, 



c 1-r and recovered. 



pearance of life. 



Every particular, even to the minutest, that the respect- The minutest 



able monks of St. Bernard, and the guides to the glaciers of shouW bf coL- 



the Alps and Pyrenees, can give, should be collected. I lected. 



even think that the class would do well, to call the attention 



of all the learned to this subject, and particularly to invite 



the four academies of Europe, that are best situate to pur- 



S 2 su» 



