428 Life-histories of Northern Animals 



Hartford, Conn. 'I kept,' said he to us, 'a fine Woodchuck 

 in captivity in this house for upward of two years. It was 

 brought to me by a country lad, and was then large, rather wild, 

 and somewhat cross and mischievous; being placed in the 

 kitchen, it soon found a retreat, in which it remained con- 

 cealed the greater part of its time every day. During several 

 nights it attempted to escape by gnawing the door and window- 

 sills; gradually it became more quiet, and suffered itself to be 

 approached by the inmates of the kitchen, these being the 

 cook, a fine dog, and a cat; so that ere many months had 

 elapsed if would lie on the floor near the fire, in company 

 with the dog, and would take food from the hand of the cook. 

 I now began to take a particular interest in its welfare, and had 

 a large box made for its use, and filled with hay, to which it 

 became habituated, and always retired when inclined to repose. 

 Winter coming on, the box was placed in a warm corner, and 

 the Woodchuck went into it, arranged its bed with care and 

 became torpid. Some six weeks having passed without its 

 appearing, or having received any food, I had it taken out of 

 the box, and brought into the parlour — it was inanimate, and as 

 round as a ball, its nose being buried, as it were, in the lower part 

 of its abdomen, and covered by its tail — it was rolled over the 

 carpet many times, but without affecting any apparent change 

 in its lethargic condition, and being desirous to push the experi- 

 ment as far as in my power, I laid it close to the fire, and having 

 ordered my dog to lie down by it, placed the Woodchuck in the 

 dog's lap. In about half an hour my pet slowly unrolled itself, 

 raised its nose from the carpet, looked around for a few minutes, 

 and then slowly crawled away from the dog, moving about the 

 room as if in search of its own bed ! I took it up and had it 

 carried down stairs and placed again in its box, where it went 

 to sleep, as soundly as ever, until spring made its appearance. 

 That season advancing, and the trees showing their leaves, the 

 Woodchuck became as brisk and gentle as could be desired, and 

 was frequently brought into the parlour. The succeeding 

 winter this animal evinced the same disposition, and never 

 appeared to suffer by its long sleep.'" 



