( 332 ) 



Observations on the Teeth of the Erinaceus Europceus, Urchin, 



or common Hedgehog. 



To the Editor of the Quarterly Journal of Science. 



Sir, 



Already, more than once, I have had occasion to notice the 

 uncertainty, as primary distinctions, of those popularly favourite 

 zoographical characters, the teeth, which are found, not only 

 to associate animals essentially dissimilar, and to separate 

 others as intimately allied, but also to be so ambiguous in 

 themselves, that the same individual has been placed in differ- 

 ent groups, not only by different persons, but even by the 

 same zoologist at different times : the Manupeda and Alipeda 

 have afforded us examples, and the other types will give their 

 testimony also. But, perhaps, as a solitary proof of this per- 

 plexing ambiguity, there is not a more striking or notorious 

 instance to be met with, than in the very discordant accounts 

 which several most distinguished naturalists have given of the 

 dental system of the Erinaceus Europaeus, or common hedge- 

 hog ; and which, as it is included in the following outline of 

 the arrangement of the Quadrupeda, demands, in the first 

 place, our attentive consideration. 



Linnaeus, Brisson, Pennant, Shaw, Blumenbach, George 

 Cuvier, Illiger, Desmarest, and most zoologists, describe the 

 hedgehog as possessing, and, indeed, characterized by the 

 possession of canine or laniar teeth, though they vary in their 

 statements as to the especial number: while the same Pen- 

 nant, Frederick Cuvier, and Latreille deny the existence of 

 any canines at all. On this subject, Pennant writes, ■• it is 

 impossible to allow the harmless hedgehog to be the com- 

 panion of lions, wolves, and bears ;" yet such is the com- 

 mon arrangement, and such the arrangement that he after- 

 wards adopted. G. Cuvier says, " les Herissons, &c, ont le 

 canines plus courtes que les antres dents ;" and Illiger describes 

 them as ambiguous ; instead of being, as Shaw declares, " per- 

 fectly those of the order Ferae." The following tabular conspectus 

 will shew the difficulty of discrimination from the extraordinary 

 discrepancies which exist among the most astute zoologists : it 

 will also prove that the same teeth have been, by different 



