54 PHILOSOPHY <JF ZOOLOGY. 



absolute repose, to give four signs of respiration. SPAL- 

 LANZANI, not aware of these periodical intervals of repose, 

 could not discover any signs of respiration. Indeed, when 

 their temperature is reduced to about 47, this function does 

 not appear to be exercised. 



The dormouse, when in a torpid state on the 27th De- 

 cember, exhibited a languid respiration of one hundred and 

 forty times in forty-two minutes. On the tenth of January, 

 the thermometer being at 43, it respired at intervals in 

 the following manner, according to MANGILI. 



In some instances, the intervals of repose or suspended 

 respiration lasted sixteen minutes. 



MANGILI also found the fat dormouse (Myoxus glis)> 

 when in a torpid state on the 27th December, ad when 

 the thermometer indicated 40, to respire at intervals. Af- 

 ter every four minutes of repose, it respired from twenty- 

 two to twenty-four times every minute and a, half. The 

 thermometer being raised one degree of Reaumur, the in- 

 tervals became only three minutes. The temperature being 

 reduced to 37, the intervals of repose became four minutes, 

 and the consecutive respirations twenty to twenty-six. The 



