HYBERNATION. 113 



long-tailed field-mouse, etc.,) which retire in- 

 deed to winter retreats, but awaken at intervals 

 to eat of their treasured hoard of nuts or grain, 

 when called into temporary life by a day of 

 unwonted mildness. The hedgehog, on the 

 contrary, lays up no store for the winter, but 

 retires to its soft nest of moss and leaves, and 

 rolling itself up into a compact ball, passes the 

 drear}'- season in a state of dreamless slumber, 

 undisturbed by the violence of the tempest, and 

 only rendered still more torpid by the bitterest 

 frost." 



The marmot lays up some store of provision 

 for consumption in early spring when its trance 

 is over, and ere yet the mountain pastures 

 afford its food. Its hybernation, however, is 

 perfect. About the middle of September, these 

 social animals retreat to their chambers under- 

 ground, closing the entrance passages with 

 earth, dried grass, etc. ; they then very soon foil 

 asleep, and so continue till the beginning of 

 April. On their retirement, they are fat and in 

 good condition — they awake lean and meagre, 

 and need the restorative afforded by their little 

 store of grass or herbage before they venture 

 forth to crop the new verdure of the high alpine 

 slopes, where winter lingers and the snow long 

 remains. 



In the case of the bat, insectivorous as it is, 

 hybernation is imperfect. A little increase of 

 temperature rouses it into activity, nor is it 

 then at any loss for food, for a warm winter's 

 day awakens also from their hybernation 



