354 



THE HEDGEHOG^ 



This creature, which is an inhabitant of Malacca and Sumatra, bears no slight external 

 resemblance to the opossum of America, the similarity being increased by its long and harsh 

 hair, and the long scaly tail, sparely furnished with very short hairs. The generic name, 

 Gymnura, is derived from two Greek words signifying naked tail, and is, therefore, very 

 appropriately applied to this animal. All the feet are terminated by five toes, the three 

 middle toes being longer than the others. The muzzle is much lengthened, but is cut off 

 rather abruptly at its termination. The eyes are small in proportion to the dimensions of 

 their owner, and the ears are small, rounded, and devoid of hairy covering. 



One distinguishing peculiarity of the animal is, that the fur which covers the body and 

 head is pierced by a number of very long bristling hairs, that project for a considerable dis- 



HEDGEHOG. Erinaceus europaeut. 



tance from the body, and are much longer on the neck and shoulders than on any other portion 

 of the body. The color of the creature is a rather peculiar mixture of black and white, which 

 are arranged as follows : the greater part of the body, the upper portion of the legs, and the 

 beginning of the tail, are black ; while the head, the neck, and flanks, and the remainder of 

 the tail, are white. There is also a black stripe over each eye, which forms a bold contrast 

 with the white fur of the head. 



Like the preceding animals, the Bulau is possessed of glands which secrete a substance of 

 a powerful musky smell. For the introduction of this animal to science we are indebted to 

 Sir Stamford Baffles, who brought it from Sumatra, and, taking it for one of the viverrine 

 animals, described it under the name of Viverra gymnura. 



THE HEDGEHOG finds representatives in many parts of the world, which seem to be pos- 

 sessed of the same propensities, whether they are found in England, in India, or in Africa. 



