Hybernation* 365 



they all appeared to be embonpoint. Each one was furnished with 

 a large drop of clear water suspended at the nose and covering both 

 nostrils. I placed a lighted candle nnder one of them, at such a 

 distance, that the fume of the candle enveloped the whole head. 

 This produced no visible effect. I then raised the candle and let the 

 flame act upon the head. This soon effected a cringing and other 



indications of sensation. I took one of them between my thumb 

 and fingers, but could perceive no motion, either of respiration or 

 pulsation. I presume, however, that although the action of their di- 

 gestive and respiratory organs was suspended, yet that a feeble and 

 languid circulation of the blood must have been carried on through 

 and about the heart, to prevent a total extinction of animal life. No 

 excrementitious matter could be found either about their bodies, or 

 on the ground under which they hung. I felt desirous to ascertain, 

 whether after their long repose, they could be resuscitated. For this 

 purpose, I placed one of them in the palm of my hand under my 

 glove* Within about fifteen minutes I felt a sensible motion of the 

 bat, and within half an hour he appeared to be restored to his full 

 strength and activity. After returning with Capt. S. to the house of 

 Mr. H., I placed the bat on a table in a warm room where the fam- 

 ily and several visitors were sitting. In about ten minutes the bat 

 began to stretch and shake its wings, and, after making a few efforts, 

 took wing and flew about the room. Business detained me at the 

 house of Mr. H., till eight or nine o'clock in the evening ; and when 

 I returned, I regretted that my bat could not be found, as I intended 

 to have him placed in my cellar for the remainder of the winter, with 

 a view to learn what his condition would be at the approach of the 

 following summer. Having business again in Meriden about the last 

 of the February following, I called at the house of Mr. H. to inquire 

 about my bat. Mrs. H. stated to me, that the next day after I left 

 it there, about the middle of the day, the room being warm, the bat 

 came out from behind the clock case, very actively flew about 

 the room for several minutes, and then retired to the same place, 

 and that this exercise had been repeated, almost daily, in clear 

 weather, when the room was warm. We searched for it but it could 

 not then be found.— If, from the length of time these bats are sup- 

 posed to have continued in this uninterrupted state of torpor, any 

 doubt should be entertained, whether after the close of the aperture 

 as before stated, they might not have found some other place through 

 which they had ingress and egress, I can only say that, from the in- 



Vol. XXIV.— No. 2. 47 



