as Auxiliaries in Classification* 1 3 



leave to state a singularity in the hedgehog, and solicit fur- 

 ther elucidation from any of your readers who may be willing 

 to communicate their knowledge upon so interesting a subject. 



My kitchen being much infested with the black beetle 

 (Slatta orientalis), 1 introduced a hedgehog for the purpose 

 of ridding me of such a nuisance, which they really are when 

 abounding in numbers. 



After keeping it a few days, it became quite domesticated ; 

 so much so as to feed from the hand, without being the least 

 intimidated. I devoted a good deal of attention to the observ- 

 ation of its perceptions both of sight and hearing, but could 

 never satisfactorily make out that the latter was at all of ser- 

 vice to it, as nothing seemed to give it any alarm, unless that 

 alarm was communicated through the medium of the organs 

 of vision. His sight, on the contrary, was very quick ; and 

 not only so to near objects, but also to those more distant. 

 As an example, he would discover a beetle at a distance of 1 2 

 or 14 feet, and have it in possession immediately. His sense 

 of smell seemed tolerably acute, as he would repeatedly apply 

 his nose to fresh substances before tasting them. After rid- 

 ding my kitchen, I transferred him to a friend for the same 

 purpose ; but there he unfortunately soon died. 



As his services when living had been very useful, I was 

 anxious for him when dead, to bestow his remains for the 

 purposes of dissection, that the structure of his auditory 

 faculty might be developed as far as possible. External ears 

 he certainly had, and these were placed forward in the skull ; 

 but as for any external aperture communicating with the brain 

 for the purpose of hearing, not the slightest opening could I 

 discover. Thinking his case might be a solitary one, I pro- 

 cured another for dissection; and the like result followed. 

 Much surprised at this investigation, I have consulted many 

 sportsmen and gamekeepers, who all assure me that his sense 

 of hearing is very acute ; but when closely pressed, whether 

 or not his alarms are received through the organs of vision or 

 hearing, they seem doubtful. 



I shall conclude these remarks by asking a few questions, 

 the solution of which may clear away the apparent mystery in 

 which the question is involved. 



Has any author on comparative anatomy pointed out the 

 structure of the external or internal ear ? 



What are the powers of hearing he really does enjoy, inde- 

 pendently of sight ? 



What purposes in his economy would the organ of hearing 

 assist, as far as it regards his habits ? 



I am. Sir, yours. &c. 

 Barnsley, March 16. 1830. W. Farrar, M.D. 



