164 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



the 1st of October to the 26th November, which, as described 

 above, began its sleep on October 15th, and on November 26th 

 showed an increase in weight of 3 gr. According to Horwarth 

 other species of hybernating animals, such as the Ground 

 Squirrels, increase in weight during hybernation. I observed 

 that the greatest increase in weight took place in the month of 

 September, as from 39 to 43, from 25 to 35, from 24 to 37, from 

 29 to 37, and from 21 to 28 gr. During the very regular hyber- 

 nation of the female there was a total decrease in weight of 

 11 gr., not quite 2 gr. a month. 



On examining, under a microscope, the excrement voided 

 during the first days after awaking, which had lain almost seven 

 months in the intestines, I was unable to distinguish any fatty 

 particles from the nuts, whilst particles of fruit were present in 

 abundance ; possibly a proof that the fatty portion of the food 

 had been entirely absorbed in the formation of fat in the body. 

 In addition a kind of leathery substance was present in abun- 

 dance, which I cannot as yet fully determine, but which in form 

 has some resemblance to the well-known psorosperms in the 

 muscles of the pig. 



I will mention one more incident in my experience, as it 

 presents an apparent contradiction to the characteristics of these 

 little creatures. 



In Brehm's ' Thierleben ' it is expressly stated that " they 

 never venture to defend themselves against their captors, never 

 attempt to bite," &c. But on September 20th, 1881, when I was 

 cleaning out the cage as usual, I suddenly observed the male to 

 •be outside the cage, on the window, and at once snatched at 

 him. The mouse, making a violent piping sound, bit me on 

 the finger so deeply that it was impossible to shake him off, and 

 I had to place my hand in the cage, when he at last let go his 

 hold. Since that time my confidence in the gentleness of the 

 Dormouse has been somewhat shaken, although I am firmly 

 persuaded that they never attempt to bite when stroked gently 

 and carefully. 



At present the two mice are separated, but at the end of their 

 winter sleep I shall again place them together, in the hope 

 of their breeding, although this seldom occurs in captivity. 

 Should they breed I hope to make further observations con- 

 cerning them. 



