On Hybernation. 79 



1806 J here they increased considerably in the course of 

 two months, but were not heard or seen after the fire was 

 removed. Their disappearance led me to conclude that 

 the cold had killed them : but in this I was mistaken ; for 

 a brisk fire being kept up for a whole day in the winter, 

 the warmth of it invited my colony from their hiding pla- 

 ces, but not before the evening, after which they continued 

 to skip about and chirp, the greater part of the following 

 day, when they again disappeared, being compelled by the 

 returning cold to take refuge in their former retreats. 

 They left the chimney corner on the 28th of May, 1807, 

 after a spell of hot weather, and revisited their winter res- 

 idence on the 31st of August. Here they spent the sum- 

 mer merely, and lie torpid at present, (Jan. 1808,) in the 

 crevices of the chimney, with the exception of those days 

 on which they are recalled to a temporary existence by the 

 comforts of a fire." — Reeve, p 84. 



The precautions taken by animals when about to enter 

 their torpid state, indicate the power of instinct. The frog 

 sinks deep into hs muddy bed beyond the reach of frost, and 

 the dipus envelopes itself in its clay cloak. The land tes- 

 tacea, the helix, pupae, &;c. retire into crevices and form an 

 operculum to exclude the air. An animal reviving from a 

 torpid state is equally an interesting object. I quote the 

 following description of the hampster from the Edinburgh 

 Encyclopedia. 



"When the hampster passes from his torpid state, l]!e 

 exhibits several curious appearances. He first loses the 

 rigidity of his members, and then makes profound respira- 

 tions, but at long intervals. His legs begin to move, he 

 opens his mouth, and utters ratthng and disagreeable sounds. 

 After continuing this operation for some time, he opens his 

 eyes and endeavours to raise himself on his legs. All these 

 movements are still unsteady, and reeling, like those of a 

 man in a state of intoxication ; but he repeats his efforts 

 till he acquires the use of his limbs. He then remains in 

 that attitude for some time, as if to reconnoitre, and rest 

 himself after his fatigues. His passage from a torpid to a 

 natural state is more or less quick, according to the tem- 

 perature." — Edin. Encyc. Vol. X. pt. 2d. p. 745. 



