On the Wood-Chuck. 115 



"Concerning this latter most singular state of existence, we are 

 gratified in being able to communicate the following facts, related 

 to us by the Hon. Daniel Wadsworth, of Hartford, Connecticut. 

 " I kept," said he to us, " a fine Wood-Chuck in captivity, in this 

 house, for upwards of two years. It was brought to me by a coun- 

 try lad, and was then large, rather wild, and somewhat cross and 

 mischievous ; being placed in the kitchen, it soon found a retreat, 

 in which it remained concealed the greater part of its time every 

 day. During several nights it attempted to escape by gnawing 

 the door and window-sills; gradually it became more quiet, and 

 sufi'ered itself to be approached by the inmates of the kitchen, these 

 being the cook, a fine dog, and a cat ; so that ere many months 

 had elapsed, it would lie on the floor near the fire, in company 

 with the dog, and would take food from the hand of the cook. 

 I now began to take a particular interest in its welfare, and had a 

 large box made for its use, and filled with hay, to which it became 

 habituated, and always retired when inclined to repose. Winter 

 coming on, the box was placed in a warm corner, and the Wood- 

 Chuck went into it, arranged its bed with care, and became torpid. 

 Some six weeks having passed without its appearing, or having 

 received any food ; I had it taken out of the box, and brought into 

 the parlour ; — it was inanimate, and as round as a ball, its nose 

 being buried as it were in the lower part of his abdomen, and co- 

 vered by its tail — it was rolled over the carpet many times, but 

 without eff'ecting any apparent change in its lethargic condition 

 and being desirous to push the experiment as far as in my power, 

 I laid it close to the fiie, and having ordered my dog to lie down 

 by it, placed the Wood-Chuck in the dog's lap. In about half an 

 hour, my pet slowly unrolled itself, raised its nose from the carpet 

 looked around for a few minutes, and then slowly crawled away 

 from the dog, moving about the room as if in search of its own 

 bed ! I took it up, and had it carried down stairs and jflaced 

 again in its box, where it went to sleep, as soundly as ever, until 

 spring made its appearance. That season advancing, and the trees 

 showing their leaves, the Wood-Chuck became as brisk and gentle 

 as could be desired, and was frequently brought into the parlour. 

 The succeeding winter this animal evinced the same disposition, 

 and never appeared to sufter by its long sleep. An accident de- 

 prived me of my pet, for having been trodden on, it gradually be- 

 came poor, refused food, and finally died extremely emaciated." 



