The winter sleep is a very singular property of animals and plants. And, though it occurs daily before our eyes, we are not able to explain all the (67) with which it is attended. In cold countries, many animals, on the (68) of winter, retire to their subterraneous abodes, in which they (69) themselves under the snow, where they remain five or six months without nourishment or motion; nay, almost without (70) of their blood, which flows only sluggishly, and in the (71) vessels. Their perspiration is almost (72) ; but still they lose something by it, as they enter their winter quarters (73) very good condition, and are (74) thin when they return from them.
Some animals enjoy their winter sleep (75) the earth, and others are (76) beneath the snow; some for the same (77) creep into the holes of rocks, and (78) under stones, or the bark of trees.
Plants also have their winter sleep; for, during the period of winter, their sap (79) towards the roots and the circulation of it, which is very slow, takes place only in the widest vessels. Were the expansion of the sap in winter as (80) as in summer, it would (81) all the vessels, on being frozen.
Some observers have endeavoured to prove that this singular circumstance is (82) accidental, and, indeed, no (83) is found in the internal (84) of those animals which have winter sleep, and those which have not. It is very remarkable, that this property (85) in general to animals of prey (食肉动物). As these have far stronger powers of (86) , it would appear that abstinence (节制)from food for several months would to them be hardly possible.