The hedgehog is a sound winter sleeper, and has been the subject of
an infinite number of experiments while in this condition. One
experimentalist, believing that cold was the cause of their curious
condition, surrounded one with a freezing mixture, and froze it
to death. By increasing the cold about another that was already
hibernating, it was made to wake up; and walked off.
If an animal is suddenly decapitated while in this hibernating
condition, the action of the heart is not affected for some time, a
second life seeming to outlive the one taken. An experiment has been
made in which the brain of the sleeper was removed, then the entire
spinal cord, but for two hours hardly any change was noticeable upon the
action of the heart; and a day after that organ contracted when touched
by the operator.
The writer has the winter nest of a family of ants. A piece of fence
rail was found beneath an old pile of boards and brought into a warm
room for the sake of a rich fungus growing upon it, and several hours
after the table and chairs were found to be covered with ants. Where
they came from was a mystery, until the old rail was accidentally jarred
and a number fell from it.
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