432 T H E P H I L O S O P H Y 



marmots and dormice, they fleep during the winter. A very mo- 

 derate degree of cold is fufficient to render them torpid. In fadt, it 

 is now well known that they amafs no magazines of provifions. The 

 grains which, with fo much induftry and labour, they carry to their 

 neft, are not intended to be food to the animals, but, like the bits of 

 ftraw and wood, are employed as materials in the conftrudion of 

 their habitation. 



2. Improper Societies. — Many animals are gregarious, though they 

 unite not with a view to any joint operation, fuch as conftrufting 

 common habitations, or mutually and indifcriminately nourifhing 

 and protedting the ofifepring produced by the whole fociety. But, 

 even among animals of this defcription, there are motives or bonds 

 of aflbciation, and, in many inftances, they mutually affift and de- 

 fend each other from hoftile aflaults. 



The ox 16 a gregarious animal. When a herd of oxen are paf- 

 turing in a meadow, if a wolf makes his appearance, they inftantly 

 form themfelves in battle array, and prefent their united horns to the 

 enemy. This warlike difpofuion often intimidates the wolf, and 

 obliges him to retire. 



In winter, the hinds and young flags aflbclate, and form herds, 

 which are always more numerous in proportion to the feverity of 

 the weather. One bond of their fociety feems to be the advantage 

 of mutual warmth derived from each other's bodies. In fpring they 

 difperfc, and the hinds conceal themfelves in the forefts, where they 

 bring forth their young. The young ftags, however, continue to- 

 gether; they love to browfe in company; and neceffity alone forces 

 them to feparate. 



The 



