THE WOODCHUCK 37 



and the ashes heaped up. Respiration is contin- 

 ued, but at longer intervals, and all the vital pro- 

 cesses are nearly at a standstill. Dig one out 

 during hibernation (Audubon did so), and you 

 find it a mere inanimate ball, that suffers itself 

 to be moved and rolled about without showing- 

 signs of awakening. But bring it in by the fire, 

 and it presently unrolls and opens its eyes, and 

 crawls feebly about, and if left to itself will seek 

 some dark hole or corner, roll itself up again, 

 and resume its former condition. 



