FAT DORMOUSE. 1^3 



less degree of agility. It feeds on nuts, acorns, fruit, 

 &c. and during great part of the winter remains 

 torpid in its nest, which is prepared in the hol- 

 lows of trees, with dried leaves, moss, &c. Dur- 

 ing its state of torpidity it is said to grow very 

 fat, contrary to the nature of most of the hyber- 

 nating or sleeping animals ; which are observed, 

 on their first emerging from that state, to be far 

 leaner than before its commencement. It is pro- 

 bable, however, that this animal awakes at inter- 

 vals, and indulges in the use of its collected 

 stores of provision ; and the epigram of Martial 

 must consequently be received with a proper de- 

 gree of allowance for the popular belief of the an- 

 cients on the subject. 



Tota mihi dormitur hiems j et pinguior illo 

 Tempore sum quo me nil nisi somnus alit. 



Nurs'd by a long hibernal sleep, 



I fatten by repose : 

 Nor food the nourishment can give 



Which abstinence bestows. 



It is but just to observe, that the Count de Buf- 

 fon has very properly exposed the absurdity of the 

 ancient notion ; and has observed that tlie animal 

 occasionally wakes, and makes use of its stock of 

 provision. The truth is, that it is at all times 

 fat, and appears as much so in spring as in au- 

 tumn. By the ancient Romans it was numbered 

 among the articles of luxury, and was fattened 

 in proper receptacles, called Gliraria, 



The size of this elegant species is not very far 



