[ 297 3 
Another reafon why the instances of torpid fwal- 
lows may not be expeded fo frequently, is, that the 
inftind of fecreting themfelves at the proper feafon 
of the year, likewife fuggefb to them, it’s being 
neceffary to hide themfelves in fuch holes and 
caverns, as may not only elude the fearch of man, 
but of every other animal which might prey upon 
them j it is not therefore by any common accident 
that they are ever difcovered in a fhate of torpi- 
dity. 
Since the ftudy of natural hifiory, however, hath 
become more general, proofs of this fad. are fre- 
quently communicated, as may appear in the Britifh 
Zoology *. 
That it may not be faid, however, I do not refer 
to any inftance which deferves credit, if properly 
lifted, I beg leave to cite the letter from Mr. Achard 
to Mr. Coilinfon, printed in the Philofophical Trans- 
actions -f*, from whence it feems to be a molt irre- 
fragable fad, that fwallows^: are annually difcovered in 
a torpid Hate on the banks of the Rhine. I fhall alfo 
refer to Dr. Birch’s Hiftory of the Royal Society ||, 
where it is Hated, that the celebrated Harvey dilfeded 
* See Vol. II. p. 25O. Brit. Zool. ill. p. 13, 14. As alfo 
Mr. Pennant’s Tour in Scotland, p, 199. 
t 1763, p. 101- 
J “ Swallows or martins,” are Mr. Achard's words, which 
I the rather mention, becaufe Mr. Coilinfon complains that the 
fpecies is not fpecified. 
Mr. Coilinfon himfelf had endeavoured to prove, that fand 
martins are not torpid, Phil. Tranf. 1760, p. tS>9- and con- 
cludes his letter, by fuppofing that all the fvvallow tribe migrates, 
therefore the fwift is the only fpecies remaining 5 for his friend 
Mr. Achard (hews to demonftration, that fwallows or martins 
are torpid ; he does not, indeed, precifely ftate which of them. 
11 Vol. IV. p. 537. 
Vol. LX II. Q^q fome, 
