93 



II. In torpidity, the functions of respiration are 

 completely suspended and at rest ; but as some torpid 

 animals seem to pass into this state fat, and emerge 

 " lean and ill favoured," it may be inferred that a slow 

 and peculiar substitutary function is exerted. Whe- 

 ther this fat is absorbed into muscle, or evolved in 

 another form, through the medium of some slow pro- 

 cess, has not been yet determined. 



III. From the fact of torpid animals, as the hedge- 

 hog, dormouse, &c. wrapping themselves up into a ball 

 with dried leaves, hay, or other non-conducting sub- 

 stance, we may infer that moisture or damp, as well as 

 a medium very low in temperature, would be injurious 

 or fatal : an insulation, and a defence against these, 

 is thus provided. Sudden warmth might also, from 

 its abrupt transition, cause this torpidity to merge in 

 death ; as an elevated temperature, when incautiously 

 applied, destroys the frozen limb. 



IV. The predisposing causes of torpidity are cold, 

 and want of food or proper nourishment ; and torpid 

 animals instinctively provide against their advent. 

 Abstraction of liquid may also be subservient to this 

 phenomenon ; and to these may be added the absence 

 of the stimulus of light and stagnation of air, or its 

 slow currency and intercepted circulation. 



V. Torpidity may be arrested or suspended by a 

 proper temperature, and generous diet or nourish- 

 ment, conjoined with free ventilation or currency of 

 air. It is not improbable, however, that the character 

 and habit of the animal may be thus changed, and 

 perhaps the natural term of its life abridged. We 

 cannot doubt that a periodic electric change is that 

 which summons them to awake from this wonderfully 

 protracted sleep. 



