TORPIDITY, 49 



forms us, that the hedgehog, when in a torpid state, in ge- 

 neral reposes on the right side. The bat, however, during 

 the period of its slumbers, prefers a very different posture. 

 It suspends itself from the ceiling of the cave to which it 

 retires, by means of its claws, and in this attitude outlives 

 the winter. This is the natural position of the bat when 

 at rest, or asleep. In short, little more can be said of the 

 positions of all these torpid animals, than their correspond- 

 ence with those which they assume during the periods of 

 their ordinary repose. 



It is also observable, that those animals which are of so- 

 litary habits during the summer season, as the hedgehog 

 and dormouse, are also solitary during the period of their 

 winter torpidity ; while the congregating social animals, as 

 the marmot, the hamster, and the bat, spend the period of 

 their torpidity, as well as the ordinary terms of repose, 

 collected together in families or groups. 



It is generally observed, that animals, previous to their 

 torpidity, have their bodies charged with fat. In the 

 marmot and some others, there are two peritoneal processes, 

 which may be considered as lateral omenta, and which, as 

 well as the great omentum, are filled with fat *. In the 

 dormouse, however, and others, these lateral processes do 

 not exist, the fat being more generally distributed. This 

 store of nourishment epables tlie animals to support that 

 gradual waste which takes place during the period of their 

 slumbers. By some it has even been regarded as the cause 

 of their lethargy. Spallanzant, however, found, among 

 the dormice procured for his experiments, a considerable 

 difference among the individuals in regard to fatness, yet 

 all were equally disposed to become torpid on the applica- 

 tion of cold. 



■ — • • ■ — a- — 9 



* CuviKR, I.econs d'An. Com. iv. 91, 

 VOL. II. D 



