Mi Of an AMERICAN SPECIES 



nate in the Carolinas, and other fouthern parts of the 

 continent. In the northern parts of the workl, the 

 different fpecies of Myoxus and of Dipus may, as Gme- 

 lin aflerts, hybernate ; but it does not necelfarily follow 

 that they do fo in the milder climates. 



In the vicinity of Hiiladelphia, the Dipus Americanus 

 is called, by fome perfons, the Seven-Sleepers. This 

 name led me to believe that our little animal paffes the 

 vs'inter feafon in a torpid ftate. The fufpicion was 

 ftrengthened, if not confirmed, by the information which 

 I have received from two different quarters. \x\ the 

 month of February, one of thefe animals was found, 

 feemingly in a torpid-ftate, under a ftone, in opening 

 a quarry. A farmer, who refides near the city, inform.s 

 me that he has often difcovered thefe feven-fleepers, at 

 the depth of eighteen inches or two feet under ground, 

 when he has been digging for the roots of horfe-radifli 

 and parfley, in the winter-time. He fays, they were 

 always lower than the influence of the froft. When firft 

 difcovered, they were not motionlefs, but ftupid ; and, 

 as he expreffed himfelf, they feemed very " awkward." 

 Upon being taken out of their habitation, they always 

 endeavoured to regain it again. 



I have faid that the torpid ftate of animals is m.erely 

 an accidental circumftance. This affertion will receive 

 fome confirmation from what I am now to mention. 



The Dipus Americanus is pretty common at Oneida : 

 it is frequently difcovered in the cabbins of the Indians, 

 fettled at that place, but they obferve it to be abroad the 

 whole winter. Jn the woods, it is likely, it is torpid 

 at the fame feafon. 



I have taken fome pains to afcertain whether the little 

 animal which I have defcribed has been found in other 

 parts of North-America befides Pcnnfylvania. Upon 

 thovving my drawing of the animal to an intelligent In- 

 dian 



