NATURAL HISTORY 
When one refleds on the ftate of this ftrange being, it is a 
matter of wonder to find that Providence Oiould beftow fuch a 
profufion of days, fuch a feeming wade of longevity, on a reptile 
that appears to relilh it fo little as to fquander more than two thirds 
of it's exiflence in a joylefs flupor, and be loft to all fenfation for 
months together in the profoundeft of llumbers. 
While I was writing this letter, a moift and warm afternoon, 
with the thermometer at 50, brought forth troops of JJM-fnaih ; 
and, at the fame jun(fture, the tortoife heaved up the mould and put 
out it's head ; and the next morning came forth, as it were raifed 
from the dead; and walked about till four in the afternoon. This 
was a curious coincidence ! a very amufing occurrence ! to fee 
fijch a limilarity of feelings between the two (pi^ioixoi ! for fo the 
Greeks called both the JJoell-fmil and the tortoife. 
Summer birds are, this cold and backward fpring, unufually 
late : I have feen but one fwallow yet. This conformity with 
the weather convinces me more and more that they lleep in the 
winter. 
LETTER 
