ture of such animals, which can account for the phenomenon; it is not, in fine, an immediate destitution of food, for a remarkable fact connected with this state is, that when animals become torpid, they are, generally speaking, unusually plump and fat. Some of these circumstances, indeed, commonly occur at the period when these animals fall into the dormant state, and seem, in a certain degree, to influence the result. Thus, the exact time of the change may be hastened or retarded, by the temperature of the atmosphere, or the plenty or scarcity of food; but there seems to be no reason to conclude, that these circumstances, considered merely as physical causes, are sufficient to account for the phenomenon ; and we are rather inclined to believe, that the animals themselves have some power in their own volition, of either inducing or resisting the lethargic condition. Spalanzani has seen bats in a torpid state, even during summer. A migratory hamster (cricetus glis), was placed by Mangili in a state of confinement, in spring, when it was naturally in its waking period; and, as soon as it found that it could not escape, it refused to eat, and, throwing itself on its back, became torpid, in which state it remained till the 17th July. The land-testacea certainly have the power of becoming torpid, independent of the severity of the weather. If specimens of the helix hortensis, for example, be placed, even at midsummer, in a box without food, they soon attach themselves to the side of the place of their confinement, and become dormant; in which state they may be kept for several years. Torpidity, in short, is an instinct, and exhibits many of the interesting but mysterious characteristics of this faculty. When the season of storms and scarcity is about to arrive, the animals to whom this habit belongs, carefully select a proper place of retreat, respectively corresponding to their several natures, where they may spend, in a happy oblivion, the dreary winter months. “The bat,” to borrow the words of the article " Hyberna tion," in the Edinburgh Encyclopedia, "retires to the roof of gloomy caves, or to the old chimneys of uninhabited castles; the hedgehog wraps itself up in those leaves of which it composes its nest, and remains at the bottom of the hedge, or under covert of the furze which screened it during summer, from the scorching sun or the passing storm; the marmot and the hamster retire to their subterranean retreats, and when they feel the first approach of the torpid state, shut the passages to their habitations in such a manner, that it is more easy to dig up the earth any where else, than in the parts which they have thus fortified." "Many of those animals, particularly such as belong to the great natural family of gnawers, make provision in their retreats during the harvest month. The marmot, it is true, lays up no stock of provisions; but the hamsters fill their stores with all kinds of grain, on which they are supposed to feed until the cold becomes sufficiently intense to induce torpidity. The cricetus glis, or migratory hamster of Pallas, also lays up a stock of provisions. The same remark is equally applicable to the dormouse." Animals, in preparing for this dormant state, are considerably actuated by their usual habits while awake, not only in the choice of a place of retreat, but also with regard to their social or solitary habits. Thus, the hedgehog and dormouse spend their period of insensibility alone, while the marmot, the hamster, and the bat, collect, for this purpose, in large societies. rate. Some curious particulars have been noted of the physical condition of animals during their torpidity, which it seems unnecessary to do more than barely to enumeIn this state they suffer a great diminution of bodily temperature; they breathe slowly, and only at intervals proportioned to the depth of their slumber, sometimes with long periods of total intermission; the circulation of their blood becomes languid to such an extent, that even the pulsation of the heart is scarcely felt; the animal irritability decreases, so that limbs may be lopped off, and even the vital parts laid open, almost without exciting any symptoms of feeling; the action of the digestive organs is suspended; the body becomes gradually emaciated, and its weight is diminished, but without impairing the living principle, which, on the contrary, is found to be in a remarkably energetic and active state at the period of resuscitation. Many of the observations which we have made as to quadrupeds, will apply also to reptiles. These coldblooded animals adopt similar precautions in selecting proper places of retreat, to protect them from their enemies, and to preserve them from sudden alternations of temperature. Those, which inhabit the waters, sink into the soft mud; while such as live on land, enter the holes and crevices of rocks, or other places, where there is little change of temperature. Thus disposed of, they obey the impulse, and become torpid. The effect of cold in inducing and prolonging this state, is much more remarkable than in warm-blooded animals. It is said that frogs and snakes may be kept in a torpid state, in an ice-house, for several years, without any diminution of their vital energy. It is, perhaps, on a similar principle, that toads have been found alive, after having, for centuries, been embedded in the heart of stones. The torpidity of the mollusca tribes, and of insects, is much more general than that of the higher genera of animals; but as the state of these more minute animals during winter has occupied our attention in other papers, I shall at present pass the subject with this single observation, that the paternal care of the Creator is not less conspicuous in the case of the microscopic insect, than that of the most lordly quadruped; and that the lower we descend in the scale of existence, the more striking appear to be the proofs of a universal Providence, which has caused the world to teem with life and enjoy ment. If we cannot, from physical causes, account for the torpidity of animals, neither shall we be able to discover, in such causes, any adequate reason for their revival at the fit period. This revival does not take place in all classes at the same time; but, speaking generally, none of them burst their lethargic chains till the revolving season has brought round a genial warmth, along with supplies of proper nourishment. Had we only to account for the reviviscence of those animals which are exposed to the changes of temperature, we might, perhaps, rest satisfied with the idea, that the return of warmth was the immediate stimulus by which the change was effected; but what shall we say of the numerous instances in which these winter sleepers bury themselves so deep, or lie congregated so close, and secured so carefully, as to remain beyond the reach of atmospheric changes? By what calendar do the bats, for example, in the interminable windings and dark recesses of the Mammoth cave of Kentucky, count the return of the months of spring? What voice whispers to the little marmot, as it lies in its deep burrow, fostered by the animal heat of its fellows, with every avenue to the open air effectually sealed up, that the stiffening frost no longer enchains the soil, and that the season of herbs and of roots has returned? Only one answer can be returned; and we are forced anew to acknowledge the presence of a mysterious instinct, or rather of that bountiful Being who, while He every where works, every where conceals Himself from mortal eyes; or is seen only by reflection from his visible creation. We mean not to assert, either here or elsewhere, that, in the processes of instinct, the Creator does not act, as he acts in the better known operations of nature, by means of second causes, which might be made manifest to rational creatures, and the force and adequacy of which might be understood by them; but we do mean to say, that these causes have not yet been discovered; and that, whether discovered or not, there is, in the appearances we have been considering, a distinct and undeniable indication of a Supreme Intelligence moulding the faculties of living creatures, and wonderfully adapting their powers to the circumstances of the external creation, so as to promote the preservation of their existence, and to contribute to their enjoyment. TENTH WEEK-THURSDAY. 1. MAN IN WINTER.-PRIVATION STIMULATES HIS FACULTIES. THERE is something very peculiar, but remarkably adapted to the general constitution of nature, in the circumstances and condition of man, as compared with other animals, pointing directly to certain great ends and principles of his existence, and confirming, in a very striking manner, the character which we have already stated to be impressed by the great Creator on his works. Man is, of all animals, the least provided with natural means of defence from his numerous enemies, as far as relates to his bodily powers, and the most scantily sup plied with protection from the vicissitudes of climate. He enters life unclothed, and utterly helpless; he grows up slowly to manhood, amidst a thousand difficulties and dangers. During the first period of his existence, he must necessarily depend on the good offices of others for the means of preserving life; and in the last stage he descends again into all the feebleness, inactivity, and dependance, of a second childhood. It is not so with other animals. They come into the world clothed, armed, and furnished with instruments and means of subsistence, or, at least, after a few days or weeks of dependance on their parents, they are thrown upon their own resources, with ample means of support and enjoyment. This contrast between the early condition of man and the lower animals, is described by a Roman poet in lines elegant, but querulous, which may be thus translated : The infant, first emerging into day, : |