126 WONDERS OF ORGANIC LIFE. 



and supplied with food, they either do not 

 hybernate at all, or sink into transient fits of 

 torpidity, reviving, and slumbering for a few 

 hours only. We have never known any of the 

 marmots kept in cages at the menagerie of the 

 Zoological Society to become truly torpid during 

 the winter months. But we suspect that this 

 wakefulness, unnatural in the extreme, is kept 

 up at the ultimate expense of life, being a 

 tax upon the system. We have known dor- 

 mice to be kept in a warm room during the 

 winter, and to continue tolerably lively ; but we 

 have observed that none have survived the 

 spring, at which period they would, in a state 

 of nature, have awakened from their trance. 

 Is not, then, this strange suspension of vitality 

 necessary for their well-being, and a wise pro- 

 vision ordained by Him who regardeth even the 

 fall of a sparrow ? 



Animals in a state of rigid torpidity do not 

 bear with impunity a sudden revival, by expo- 

 sure to warmth. We have seen bats and dor- 

 mice immediately die, after one or two such 

 artificial resuscitations. The few animals which 

 we have seen artificially revived appeared to 

 experience painful or oppressive sensations. 

 The breathing was quickened — occasionally deep 

 inspirations were made ; the rigidity of the 

 muscles relaxed, the eyes were opened, attempts 

 were made to use the limbs ; but the movements 

 were all unsteady, and the creature seemed be- 

 wildered and confused. In a state of nature, 

 the transition is gradual ; the animal quietly 



