THE REPOSE OF NATURE. 209 



merciful torpor in which it is sunk for so long a time. 

 For precisely the same reason our British reptiles retire 

 during the cold months of the year into some deep 

 recess, and there remain torpid until the succeeding 

 spring brings with it the needful warmth and food. 



Take, for example, two of our best-known reptiles, 

 the frog and the snake, both of which disappear during 

 winter for much the same reason. The frog lives chiefly 

 on insects, which all vanish in the winter months for 

 want of their vegetable food ; and the snake also retires 

 to winter quarters because it lives mostly on frogs, 

 which have hidden themselves until the spring. Both 

 these creatures, in common with many other reptiles, 

 burrow deeply in the earth or seek some snug recess as 

 soon as the autumn draws to a close, and, safe in their 

 homes, sink to sleep until the sunbeams recover their 

 warmth, again enliven the earth with verdure, and the 

 annual resurrection of the vegetable world has been 

 accomplished. 



Then the renewal of that process takes place. The 

 plants put forth their tender shoots, the leaf-eating 

 insects come from their winter quarters to eat the 

 leaves, the frogs emerge from the ground to eat the 

 insects, and the snakes glide out to eat the frogs. Such 

 reptiles as the blind-worm, which feed not upon frogs, 

 but live on insects, slugs, and such-like creatures, are 

 earlier than the snakes, because they find their food 

 ready for them. Truly is it said, ' The eyes of all wait 

 upon Thee, Lord, and Thou givest them their meat 



p 



