314 NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



* / Nests, magazines, &c. 



called the sleeper. Its nest is commonly in the 

 woods and hedges, at the roots of hollow trees, 

 or at the boitom of bushes, and is formed of 

 grass, moss, and fallen leaves. 



Buffon seems to have fallen into an error, 

 when he says the dormouse is not a native of 

 Britain ; since, though they are not so numerous 

 as many other diminutive quadrupeds, they are 

 well known to almost every villager in this 

 country. 



At the commencement of winter, they roll 

 themselves up in balls, with the tail over the nose, 

 in order to prevent the effects of the cold on 

 their delicate frame and constitution : but the 

 warmth of the sun, or any sudden transition, 

 from cold to heat, thaws their almost stagnant 

 fluids, and arouses them from this temporary 

 lethargy. 



Their magazines of provisions are always pre- 

 pared against this season, and consist of acorns, 

 beans, and nuts ; in consequence of which, they 

 are not under the necessity of going abroad, and 

 exposing their lives in search of food, immedi- 

 ately on their re-animation. 



They generally continue to sleep about five 

 months of the ^ear, during which time they are 

 seldom found, unless by wood-cutters, or persons 

 employed in procuring fuel, in the woods or cop- 

 pices. 



Their time of breeding is in the spring ; and 

 they are by no means so prolific as the common 



