322 STRANGE DWELLINGS. 



During the winter the animal does not feed much upon its 

 stores, inasmuch as it is buried in the curious state of hiber- 

 nation during the cold months. At the beginning of spring, 

 however, the hibernation passes off, and is replaced by ordinary 

 sleep, with intervals of wakefulness. 



Now, while the animal hibernates, the tissues of the body 

 undergo scarcely any change, even though no nutriment he 

 taken. But, as soon as the creature resumes its ordinary life, 

 waste goes on, and the creature soon feels the pangs of hunger. 

 As the food of the Dormouse consists chiefly of seeds and fruits, 

 it could not find enough nourishment to support the body, and 

 would therefore perish of hunger but for the stores which 

 instinct had taught it to gather in the preceding autumn. 



