1902 The Vivarium in Winter 35 



highly differentiated and specialised than any similar organ in 

 LimncBo) effect at least the major part of their respiration 

 through their general skin surface. 



We have thus seen that even in the invertebrate kingdom 

 the arrangements provided by nature for the passing of the 

 season of winter are comparable to the hibernations of the 

 vertebrate animals ; and if in the MoUusca the conditions 

 offer more scope for investigation, they are not the less 

 interesting on that account. 



The Vivarium in Winter. 



By Rev. Gregory C. Bateman. 



It goes without saying that the inmates of a vivarium 

 should be allowed to follow the promptings of nature to 

 spend the cold weather in a state of torpor. Hibernation, 

 therefore, on the part of these captive animals ought to be 

 encouraged and provided for, as far as possible, by their 

 owner. 



Some of the reptiles, if they have fed well during the 

 summer months, and are in really good condition in the 

 autumn, may be taken out of their cases and packed away 

 in suitable winter quarters where the temperature will be low 

 and the creatures themselves quite out of the reach of frost. 

 They should be surrounded with dry moss, and then put into 

 strong wooden boxes out of which they cannot escape. 



Tortoises, moderately -sized snakes, and certain lizards 

 can be thus treated. The larger snakes should be carefully 

 watched. If they lie in an almost dormant state, and show 

 no signs of having colds or of getting unduly thin, they 

 ought to be left alone, care, however, being taken that the 

 air of their cases be maintained at such a temperature that 

 this condition of things may be continued throughout the 

 winter. 



When it is seen that a snake has taken cold the tempera- 

 ture ought to be raised to about 75° or 80° Fahr., and, if 

 possible, the reptile should be induced to feed. 



