Mammalia. 



8481 



Additional Remarks concerning a Dormouse. — October 11th. I have observed for 

 some days past that it has been unusually sluggish, seldom leaving the box compart- 

 ment of the cage; and to-day, for the first time, the nuts are untouched, and, though 

 the weather is unseasonably mild, I think it may be about to hybernate. It rarely 

 creeps forth till towards midnight, when all is still, but on seeing me is not greatly 

 alarmed, or it would retreat at once to its box; however I have occasionally observed 

 a tremulous motion of the whole body, when, fixing its eyes on one, at the slightest 

 noise or motion it will disappear. Sometimes, however, it will frisk about, running up 

 the wires, spinning the cage round; and when in a playful mood the least touch or 

 motion will cause it to renew its gambols, which seemingly it greatly enjoys, though 

 occasionally throwing a summerset. Having managed to escape once, it has not been 

 allowed much liberty. On opening the door of the cage to feed it one night it suddenly 

 sprang out, and, concealing itself, finally managed to effect its escape, but was seen a 

 day or two afier running about the garden. Having quite given it up as lost, I was 

 not a little surprised on a subsequent day to hear that it had made its appearance in 

 the kitchen (the only room with a fire), and taken up a position on the mantel-piece, 

 four feet eight inches from the floor, but only two feet from the back of a chair near 

 it, from which doubtless it had sprung up. Having allowed itself to be recaptured it 

 was replaced in its comfortable cage, from which it has made no further attempts to 

 escape, apparently satisfied that it might go farther and fare worse. Its escape, or 

 rather safe return, is somewhat remarkable, seeing that there is a cat in the house and 

 innumerable cats out; however, I have observed on more than one occasion that the 

 cat takes no notice of it, even when placed close to the bars of the cage, turning away 

 unexcited and unconcerned. This may, however, partly arise from her having become 

 familiarised with it, and would account both for its safe escape and return ; but the 

 dormouse being perfectly scentless may not be so attractive as the common mouse, 

 which has a peculiarly strong and overpowering scent. It is by no means so voracious 

 as the common mouse, not consuming, on an average, more than a nut or two a-day, 

 but preferring them to most other kinds of food, though partial to apples, the peel "of 

 which it is careful in removing. It is a thirsty creature, requiring a daily supply of 

 water. 12th. On looking into the box this morning found the mouse coiled up, and 

 in a sound sleep, but that it had been on the move during the night is proved by the 

 disappearance of the nuts. 17th. Up to this date there has been nothing new to record, 

 but this morning at half past eight 1 found the mouse completely coiled up in its lair, 

 so that on being handled it but slightly relaxed ; however, it had been on the run 

 during the night as usual, and had fed. It remained in a deep slumber up to half 

 past four p.m., when it awoke and began to feed. Having repeatedly observed it up 

 to eleven p. m. it was still awake. Thinking from its sluggishness and drowsiness of 

 late that it might be about to hybernate, I placed wool, slips of cloth and line paper 

 between the bars. 18th. At eight a. m. found that the greater part of the materials 

 had been carried during the night into the box, which was completely filled up to the 

 lid. On removing some of the superincumbent wool the mouse was found rolled into a 

 complete ball. 19th. It has fed during the night, and more wool and cloth taken to 

 its lair, where it has remained in a state of torpor duriug the day up to eleven p. m,, 

 when last observed. 20th. Though completely imbedded in wool, and asleep, I find 

 it has been in the cage during the night, and fed too, though very slightly. Its bodily 

 functions are apparently on the point of suspension. The weather, though still mild, is 

 cooler, the thermometer having yesterday at one p. m. fallen to 51°, but has during the 

 VOL. XXI. Z 



