i8 



Tlie Dancing Mouse 



The floors of the cages were covered with a thin layer of 

 sawdust for the sake of cleanliness, and in one corner of each 

 cage a nest box of some sort was placed. During the warm 

 months I found it convenient and satisfactory to use berry 



boxes, such as appear in 

 Figure 2, with a small en- 

 trance hole cut in one 

 side ; and during the cold 

 months cigar boxes, with 

 an entrance hole not more 

 than 5 cm. in diameter at 

 one end. In the nest box 

 a quantity of tissue paper, 

 torn into fragments, fur- 

 nished material for a nest 

 in which the adults could 

 make themselves comfort- 

 able or the female care 

 for her young. Cotton 

 should never be used in 

 the nest boxes, for the 

 mice are likely to get it 



FIGURE 3. -Double cages in frame. w(nmd about thdr ^ 



with serious results. Apparently they are quite unable to 

 free themselves from such an incumbrance, and their spin- 

 ning motion soon winds the threads so tightly that the 

 circulation of the blood is stopped. 



The cages and nest boxes were emptied and thoroughly 

 cleaned once a week with an emulsion made by heating to- 

 gether one part of kerosene and one part of water containing 

 a little soap. This served to destroy whatever odor the cages 

 had acquired and to prevent vermin from infesting the nests. 

 In hot weather far greater cleanliness is necessary for the 



