64 * PHILOSOPHY OF iTOOLOGY. 



a quickened respiration indicated returning animation. In 

 sixteen hours it was completely revived. It was trembling 

 with cold, and made many efforts to escape. He also 

 placed a torpid bat under a bell-glass, where the tempera- 

 ture was 29°, and where it had free air. Respiration soon 

 became painful, and it attempted to escape. It then fold- 

 ed its wings, and its head shook with convulsive tremblings. 

 In an hour no other motions were perceptible than those 

 of respiration, which increased in strength and frequency 

 until the fifth hour. From this period, the signs of respira- 

 tion became less distinct ; and, by the sixth hour, the ani- 

 mal was found dead. He also exposed a torpid dormouse 

 (from a temperature of 41°) to a cold of 27°, produced by 

 a freezing mixture. Respiration increased from ten to 

 thirty-two times in a minute, and without any intervals of 

 repose. There were no symptoms of uneasiness, and the 

 respirations seemed like those in natural sleep. As the 

 temperature rose, respiration became slower. He then 

 placed it in the sun, when it awoke. Two hours afterwards, 

 liaving exposed it to the wind, respiration became frequent 

 and painful ; it turned its back to the current, without, how- 

 ever, becoming torpid. 



That cold is calculated to produce effects similar to tor- 

 pidity on man himself, is generally known. Those who 

 have ascended to the summits of high mountains, have, by 

 the exposure to cold, felt an almost irresistible propensity 

 to lie down and sleep. Dr Solander, while exploring 

 Terra del Fuego, though perfectly aware of the inevitable 

 destruction attending the giving way to this inclination, 

 nay, though he had even cautioned his companions against 

 indulging it, could not himself overcome the desire. When 

 this feeling is gratified, sleep succeeds, the body becomes 

 benumbed, and death speedily arrives. How long this 

 sleep might continue without ending in death, were the 



