28 



SKETCH OF THE HISTORY OF MAMMALIA. 



chosen, and that he never saw any dormouse that could 

 gnaw through the shell of that nut when fully ripe. 

 We ourselves, however, have frequently seen the dor- 

 mouse open with its teeth the hard shell of a nut, and 

 clear it out with great address. The dormouse hybernates, 

 and hoards up a store of provision in holes, and the cre- 

 vices about the roots of trees, &c., to which to have re- 

 course in the winter; for its torpidity is not without 

 interruption. A midday gleam of sunshine rouses it up 

 in its snug retreat, and invites it forth, when it takes a 

 little food; on the diminution of the temperature it be- 

 takes itself to its dormitory, and, rolling up itself into a 

 ball, sinks into a profound slumber. In this condition it 

 may be handled, or rolled about a table, if not exposed to 

 the influence of warmth, without being roused from its 

 trance. It is not until the spring has fairly set in that 



14. — Common Dormouse. 



