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THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



beat, and a scarcely perceptible respiration (Fig. 42) . Here he remains 

 for days at a time, in what seems to ns a condition bordering life and 

 death, yet normal, for seldom does one fail to come out of it. In the 

 spring following he completes his excavation to the surface (Fig. 43) 

 and is ready for active life again. 



In the citellary excellent opportunity was given for observing the 

 phenomena of hiberation. Here in a small cellar they were kept and 

 here examined from day to day, weighed and photographed at the will 

 of the observer without even being disturbed from their repose. It 

 was found, among other things, that they did not maintain a continuous 

 comatose condition but awoke for a few hours at intervals of a couple 

 of weeks. The reason for this and many other curious phenomena will 

 be discussed at length in the complete account of this life history study 

 to be published in the near future by the Washington Experiment 

 Station. It was also noted that the animals were losing very gradually 

 in weight from day to day, although they were in a state of almost 

 perfect inactivity. 



For more than three years this work of searching for, and investi- 

 gating hibernating dens was pursued, through torrid heat and dust of 

 a late summer day, or the biting frost of a wind-driven snowstorm. 

 Many were the short dark days of winter disappointment — but won- 

 derful those rare days of discovery and opportune for camera and 

 sketchbook, when successful search revealed a hibernating squirrel. 



Herbert Hoover, United States Food Administrator, 

 indorsed the state-wide campaign of California in the follow- 

 ing telegram to the State Commissioner of Horticulture : 



Washington, D. C, April 9, 1918. 



GEO. H. HECKE, 



Commissioner of Horticulture, 



Sacramento, Col. 

 Understand you are undertaking campaign for the 

 eradication of ground squirrels in California, This has 

 my hearty approval as these squirrels destroy vast quan- 

 tities of food which might otherwise be used for support 

 of our armies abroad and the allies. The school children 

 should be of great assistance in this campaign and the 

 knowledge that they are doing a patriotic duty should 

 stimulate them to their utmost efforts. 



Herbert Hoover, 

 United States Food Administrator. 



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