502 Mr. Rennie on the Contrivances 



how solicitous they appeared to be to make the most of these 

 in forming their cells. One of them made the side of the glass 

 a part of the wall of its cell, against which it formed a sort of 

 arch with what leaves chanced to be within its reach ; but as it 

 seemed to have no idea of bringing materials from a distance, 

 the covering was thin and imperfect. The other attempted to 

 establish itself in the middle of the area, apart from the sides 

 of the glass ; but it was less successful than its fellow, as it 

 always deranged the portion of wall it had constructed by turn- 

 ing about in search of materials. It was curious to remark the 

 different habits of two other species of the family (Helix 

 aspersa, and H. nemoralis, M CILLER) confined under the same 

 glass : the latter giving themselves no trouble about a covering, 

 crept quietly up as high as they could get, and formed their 

 calcareous lid (operculum) upon the bare glass ; the second of 

 the edible snails was at length reluctantly compelled to follow 

 their example, after being foiled in all attempts to cover itself 

 with a dome of leaves. 



Our common hedgehog (Erinaceus Europ&us) makes a 

 similar preparation to the preceding for his winter's sleep, 

 being frequently found so bewrapped in leaves as to have little 

 resemblance to an animal. The hedgehog, however, has not, 

 so far as I am aware, been ever observed in the act of forming 

 this covering of leaves, though it is supposed to roll itself about 

 till its spines take up a sufficient number, in the same way it is 

 popularly believed (without proof) to do with apples. That it 

 collects leaves for this purpose, and carries them to its den, 

 has been repeatedly witnessed ; and when domesticated, it will 

 construct a barricade of leaves at the mouth of its den*. It 

 would hence appear that the ancient Greeks erroneously 

 undervalued the skill of the hedgehog, when, comparing it with 

 the poly sophia of the fox, they said it only knew the important 

 art of defence f. 



The hare, which remains active all winter, is somewhat less 

 provident against cold, its close fur, particularly upon the feet, 

 furnishing it with good protection ; and yet the winter form, as 

 it is called, or den of the hare, is a very snug little place. I had 



* Gent. Mag. for June, 1782. 



lv vya. Zenodotus ex Archiloch. 



