PROCEEDINGS OF THE COTTESWOLD CLUB 5 1 



similarly respires, rather more quickly, but without the 

 deep sound of the hedgehog, and then soon lapses into 

 quietude. 



It is very ditficult to ascertain the comparative tempera- 

 ture of the animal with that of the environing atmosphere. 

 The slightest excitement induces a quicker respiration, 

 with the consequent evolution of an increased degree of 

 heat. From observations, which extended continuously 

 over many years, it was found that the temperature of some 

 of the hibernating animals followed that of the atmosphere 

 — of course within certain limits and with certain excep- 

 tions. A animal can endure the total abstraction of oxygen 

 or of atmospheric air for some time. For instance, Spallan- 

 zani placed a marmot — one of the hibernates, in its 

 hibernated state — in carbonic acid gas for four hours, and 

 it was not killed, but a rat and a bird died at once. It 

 seemed, therefore, that in the case of the hibernating 

 animal, respiration was all but, if not altogether, suspended 

 for a time. 



Torpor and hibernation must then be distinguished, the 

 one from the other. Torpor may be produced in any 

 animal, e.g. : in man, but a man cannot hibernate. Torpor 

 means a benumbed state of the nerves, a stiffened 

 condition of the muscles, a loss of any desire for exertion, 

 a strong desire to sleep. This is the direct effect of cold, 

 and even the hibernating animal, under such surrounding 

 influences, may be affected by them and die. True 

 • hibernation is not produced nor induced by extremely low 

 temperatures — but rather by those only moderately low. 

 All creatures which hibernate avoid, as much as their 

 instinct teaches them, and their opportunities allow, 

 exposure to extreme cold, though of course in some 

 seasons all their precautions are in vain, and they perish 

 in countless myriads. Such must have been the case last 

 winter, (I speak of 1895) when we all in common with 

 the lower forms of life experienced, and perhaps suffered 

 from its very severe and prolonged frosts. 



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