[ *4l ] 



XLt. On the Torpldihj of AnhriQls. By Benjamin Smith 

 Barton, of Philadelphia, M.D, 



To Mr. Tilloch. 



Sfr, 1 LATELY purchased, and have just finished the read- 

 ing ut, *' An Kssav on the Torpidity of vVninials, by Henry 

 Keeve, M.D." The work has a Horded nie much amuse- 

 ment, and some instruction ; and may, doubtless, be read 

 with greai satisfaction and advantage by the yoimoer das* 

 of nat\iralists. It is, however, I think, kss replete with 

 new facts and experiments, and with original and enlarged 

 views of the nature and phtenomcna of torpid, life,, that! 

 might have been expected, considering the respectable au-^ 

 thor's opportunities of acquiring information, and the 

 length ot tinie that he has had the subject under his con- 

 sideration. *- j imIj iiiiiJoijp -(^i •;!. 'ioi 'aJii'J 



Having myself, for several years^ bieii e^n gaged. vm)irfi 

 fjuiries relative to the same subject, in various classes <A 

 nninjals, but especially in the Mammalia, tiie Birds, and thq 

 Ivfptilia {Amphii'ia of Linna^uk), J hope to; bc: able,;, at- no 

 very distant period, to publish the full result of my re.'t 

 searches and experiments. I shall then, with that candour^ 

 which, I trust, will never forsake me in mv urquiries as a 

 naturalist, point out some of the errors (as I now conceive 

 them to be) of Dr. Reeve's work ; and, in particular, l shall 

 state, at length, the facts, the actual experiments, and the 

 observations, which compel me ta differ from him on som§ 

 very material questions. At present, 1 have no, other qb*- 

 ject in view, than to draw your attention, and that of yQur 

 philosophical readers, to that part of Dr. Keeve's Esmy 

 •which relates to the real or supposed torpidity of birdsjL 

 'This part of his subject, the intelligent author dpies not 

 seem to have examined with his. accustomed ability. 



In treating of the ''Migration of Birds,'' Dr. Reeve has 

 the following words : <' Here a curious question arises rcj 

 specting the disappearance of birds. It is singular th(at 

 this subject should still admit of doubt, when it seems sq 

 easy to be decided ; yet every month we see queries and 

 answers about the migration of swallows, and every year 

 oiir curiosity is tempted to be amused with marvellous 

 histories of a party of these birds diving under water ifi 

 some remote quarter of America. No species of birds, 

 except the swallow, the cuckow, and the woodcock, have 

 been supposed to remain torpid during the winter months. 

 And wiiat is the evidence in favojur of so stran£e and n.on-» 



VoU3^: No. 144. April 1810. Q 'strtfus 



