of the Tortoise and Dormouse. 321 



As a proper sequel to the preceding, I may add my re- 

 marks on 



The Temperature of the Skin of the Dormouse. 

 In the beginning of 1824, I received two dormice from a 

 friend in Derbyshire, and commenced a series of experiments 

 on the temperature developed by the skin. One of these I 

 accidentally lost, it having escaped from confinement ; and I 

 was shortly necessitated, from various avocations, to resign 

 the prosecution of my researches with the other. The fol- 

 lowing is a note of the temperatures as recorded : — 



31st January 1824, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, at 25 minutes past 7, p.m.; 

 air of the room, 48° Fahrenheit ; temperature of the dormice under the 

 breast, 103° Fahrenheit. I soon after lost one of my prisoners. 



At Hull, Yorkshire, 14th February, at half-past 8, p. m. ; air 51° Fah- 

 renheit ; temperature under the breast, 62°.5 Fahrenheit. The animal 

 semi-torpid. 



Feb. 



On the 14th and 15th of February, the dormouse was rous- 

 ed from its apparent death by heat, cautiously applied. 



The box which contained the dormice had a partition. One 

 compartment contained fresh moss, well dried, in which the 

 animals reposed during day, having formed for themselves a 

 somewhat elliptical nidus. Two openings, with slides, con- 

 ducted into the outer court, where the dormice had their food 

 prepared for them, consisting of wheaten bread, (sometimes 

 softened with water,) and a basin of milk. Great attention 

 and care were bestowed on them, and the food daily supplied. 

 The sliding pannels were shut when the compartments were 

 cleaned, it being easy to expel them from the one to the other, 

 and thus prevent their escape. 



Though their cage was frequently in darkness during the 

 day, the night season was the exclusive period in which they 



VOL. IV. NO. II. AI'IUL 1826. x 



