The Ways of the Dormouse. 101 



them clinging in all attitudes, back downward as often as 

 otherwise. The prehensile power of their claws is not 

 only great but something inexplicable. While handling 

 a Dormouse in a semi-somnolent state, it caught hold of 

 my finger by the claws of one of its hind feet, and hang- 

 ing from it, absolutely dangling down, went off into a 

 sound sleep ; so remaining till my patience became ex- 

 hausted and I released the finger from its clutch. Had it 

 been left to itself I have no doubt it would thus have 

 slept its sleep out. The bat, with its hooked wing mem- 

 brane, could not well do more. But the true sleeping 

 attitude of the Dormouse is with snout and root of tail in 

 juxtaposition, rolled up in spherical shape — though not 

 so perfect a sphere as the clewed hedgehog — with the 

 long, bushy, and distichous tail coiled spirally around. 

 When in its winter, or hybernating sleep, the creature 

 feels cold to the touch, and one unacquainted with this 

 singular phenomenon would suppose it dead. Hold it for 

 a time in the hand, however, and, so warmed, its beard 

 bristles will be seen to move, the body rise and fall in 

 gentle resperation, till at length it awakes, gradually un- 

 folding itself as it becomes conscious of existence. 



Zoological writers place the Dormouse in the list of 

 hybernating animals, and all believe it eminently so, as 

 may be deduced from the name bestowed upon it. It 

 certainly does hybernate, though, I fancy, not to the 

 extent generally supposed. I had one brought me in the 

 middle of January by a hedger, who had taken it while 

 " pleaching " a hedge, at the bottom of which he found 

 it, wide awahe. And like enough in mild winters these 

 little creatures are often up and about in the night, when 

 there is no eye to observe them. If not, then their habits 

 undergo change in confinement, and when kept in a house. 



