i6o SNAKES. 



suspended, that no external signs of existence are visible. 

 For them it is a sort of rest, and we may cease to wonder 

 at their longevity since they live only half their lives. It 

 is, indeed, a convenient mode of getting through life, re- 

 minding us of a theory or proposal ventilated not long 

 since, by which convicts were to be economically provided 

 for by submitting them to a certain freezing process, and 

 disposing them neatly on rows of shelves until the expira- 

 tion of their term of punishment ; all to be done then was 

 to dust them thoroughly — perhaps scrub them a little — and 

 restore them to the world and life again. And they were 

 promised to be none the worse, not even to have lost their 

 memory or to have acquired the rheumatism. Unfortun- 

 ately the wonderful process has never been made clear to 

 anxious inquirers, or some others of us, who are not con- 

 victs, might gladly resort to this method of rest occasionally, 

 and of freezing out the worries of existence. 



On the principle of political economy, this would be all 

 very well, and in the great routine of nature there is bene- 

 ficence in the hibernation of creatures, whether reptiles or 

 other animals, that are sent to sleep at the very time when 

 food fails them. The smaller members of the class have 

 no longer insects and molluscs ; the larger ones feed chiefly 

 on rodents and birds which have also retired or migrated, 

 or on their lesser kinsfolk, that no longer abound where 

 most wanted by them. Therefore, this going to sleep every 

 winter, and doing without food when there is no food to 

 be had, is most convenient for a considerable section of 

 animated nature. 



There is something strangely analogous in the almost 



