HIBERNATION. 169 



ditlon, and the large mortality which is found In most 

 collections may be imputed to a great extent to the un- 

 healthy condition in which they arrive after injudicious 

 packing. Nailed up in air-tight boxes, is a very ordinary 

 mode of transportation, a species of cruelty which would 

 raise a cry of horror were the captive any other than a 

 despised * reptile ! ' In connection with breathing or not 

 breathing, and powers of endurance, silcJl packing receives 

 only a passing mention here, but is one that should be 

 thoroughly exposed in the Animal IVojId a.nd similar papers. 

 One more singular example of periodical repose, but 

 which can scarcely be called either hibernation or estiva- 

 tion, is seen in the sea snakes, the HydropJiidce of the Eastern 

 Ocean. Of these Dr. Cantor affirms that they are seen so 

 soundly asleep on the surface of the water, that a ship 

 passing among them does not awaken them. This is the 

 more remarkable because the eyes of sea snakes are organ- 

 ized to endure the glare of light only when modified or 

 subdued through water, and are easily affected when out 

 of it, the reptiles becoming dazzled, and even blinded, by 

 bright sunshine. So that we must suppose some peculiar 

 insensibility of nerve in these, or a cessation of active 

 functions during their repose analogous to the hibernation 

 of land snakes. Another Interesting Inquiry suggests itself : 

 viz. How does one ascertain that an open-eyed snake is 

 * asleep ' f We called that Racer (p. 64) ' asleep,' as it 

 appeared to be quite unconscious of interruption, and did 

 not move at our approach. 



