82 ANIMAL INTELLIGENCE 



On this point Prof. Bishop writes me : 



11 Popular belief puts the time of hibernation of the Wood- 

 chuck from 1st October to May. I have seen them out well into 

 November, and have known of their being caught in traps on 

 1st January. I also saw the tracks of one myself on 2nd January. 

 From that time until May I have run across them or their 

 tracks after a warm day." 



Mr Yates expresses a positive opinion. He considers 

 that their winter sleep is of the most profound character, 

 for he says: "The state of unconsciousness is death- 

 like." As to bears, he simply reiterates the belief that 

 they hibernate only when food is not obtainable, in 

 which view, in the light of my own investigations, 

 I see nothing impossible. 



My studies on the torpor of cold-blooded animals 

 (poikilotJiermeTs) have been little more than casual 

 observations ; on the bat they have been more extensive, 

 still incomplete ; but the condition of the Woodchuck, 

 our American Marmot, during winter and summer in 

 confinement, has had my close attention for over five 

 years, almost continuously, by the help of other 

 members of my family, especially of my wife, the time 

 including the early morning and evening as well as the 

 hours of the working day. Of the habits of this 

 creature when in its natural surroundings I know but 

 little from personal observation. 



The specimen on which my observations and experi- 

 ments were made during four successive years was kept 

 in confinement for some time prior to its coming into 

 my possession how long I do not know. It was of 

 medium size, and seemed to get more tame as time went 

 on, but when frightened or angry it acted always very 

 much as a perfectly wild specimen. The marmot is a 

 creature of low intelligence, a natural result, perhaps, 

 of so much of its life being spent in a burrow, and so 

 much of its time being drowsed away, free from that 



