80 PHILOSOPHY OF ZOOLOGY. 



pended animation have been observed, continued not for a 

 few months, but during the period of twenty-seven years. 

 But such instances of lethargy do not belong to our pre- 

 sent subject. 



There is another kind of hybernation, in some respects 

 resembling torpidity, which deserves to be taken notice of 

 in this place, and which merits the appellation of Quies- 

 cence. The animals which observe this condition, remain 

 during the winter months in an active state, requiring but 

 little food, without however experiencing the change to 

 torpidity. 



Of these quiescent animals, the comTnon bear (Ursiis 

 arctos) is the most remarkable example. Loaded with fat, 

 he retires in the month of November to his den, which he 

 has rendered comfortable by a lining of soft moss, and sel- 

 dom reappears until the month of March following. 

 During this period he sleeps much, and when awake al- 

 most constantly licks with his tongue the soles of his feet, ^ 

 particularly those of the fore paws, Avhich are without hair, 

 and full of small glands. From this source it is supposed 

 that he draws his nourishment during the period of his re- 

 tirement. 



This quiescence appears to differ in its kind from torpi- 

 dity. This animal is always in season before he retires to 

 his winter quarters, and the female brings forth her young, 

 before the active period of the spring returns, and befoi-e 

 she comes forth from her hiding place. 



The common badger is supposed to pass the winter in 

 the same manner as the bear, with which, in structure and 

 habit, he is so nearly related. It is also probable, that 

 many species of the genus Arvicola become quiescent, par- 

 ticularly the ami^hihla or common water rat, which always 

 leaves its ordinary haunts during the winter. 



It is in this state of hybernation that many of our river 



