A NATUBALIST. 61 



tirely effected by a sudden and violent extension of the 

 long hind limbs, the muscles of which are strong, and 

 admirably suited to their object. We have heard that 

 these little animals feed on the roots, &c. of the green 

 herbage, and that they are every season to be found in 

 the meadows. It may perhaps puzzle some to imagine 

 how they subsist through the severities of winter, when 

 vegetation is at rest, and the earth generally frozen. 

 Here we find another occasion to admire the all-perfect 

 designs of the awful Author of nature, who has endowed 

 a great number of animals with the faculty of retiring 

 into the earth, and passing whole months in a state of 

 repose so complete, as to allow all the functions of the 

 body to be suspended, until the returning warmth of the 

 spring calls them forth to renewed activity and enjoy- 

 ment. The jumping mouse, when the chill weather be- 

 gins to draw nigh, digs down about six or eight inches 

 into the soil, and there forms a little globular cell, as 

 much larger than his own body as will allow a sufficient 

 covering of fine grass to be introduced. This being ob- 

 tained, he contrives to coil up his body and limbs in the 

 centre of the soft dry grass, so as to form a complete ball; 

 and so compact is this, that, when taken out, with the 

 torpid animal, it may be rolled across a floor without in- 

 jury. In this snug cell, which is soon filled up and 

 closed externally, the jumping mouse securely abides 

 through all the frosts and storms of winter, needing 

 neither food nor fuel, being utterly quiescent, and appa- 



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