THE HEDGEHOG OR URCHIN 65 



so-called experiments' having merely shown that when the 

 two animals are confined in a box together the ensuing conflict 

 provides the urchin with its supper. There is usually nothing 

 to show that the conflict was desired by either of the com- 

 batants. The hedgehog's plan of campaign is to snap quickly, 

 and then instantaneously to present its armoured back to the 

 reptile, which, if poisonous, beats itself to death against the 

 erect spines. This has been observed by several naturalists, as, 

 for instance, by Mr Harting,^ in the case of captive specimens,^ 

 and also by Richard Kearton,* who watched one kill a slow- 

 worm with similar precautions. Mr Pocock also informs me 

 that the same procedure was adopted on one occasion in the 

 case of a rat, the hedgehog approaching the rodent sideways 

 and keeping its spines directed towards it. 



The battles of hedgehogs and snakes have been recounted 

 with more or less embellishment by many authorities from 

 ancient times. Topsel's version has at least the virtue 

 of picturesqueness, and on that account alone deserves 

 quoting. 



" There is," writes Topsel, " mortal hatred betwixt the 

 Serpent and the Hedge-hog, the Serpent seeketh out the 

 Hedge-hog's den, and falleth upon her to kill her, the Hedge- 

 hog draweth it self up together round like a foot-ball, so that 

 nothing appeareth on her but her thorny prickles ; whereat the 

 Serpent biteth in vain, for the more she laboureth to annoy the 

 Hedge-hog, the more she is wounded and harmeth herself, yet 

 notwithstanding the height of her minde, and hate of her heart, 

 doth not suffer her to let go her hold, till one or both parties 

 be destroyed. 



" The Hedge-hog rowleth upon the Serpent, piercing his 

 skin and flesh, (yea many times tearing the flesh from the bones) 

 whereby he scapeth alive and killeth his adversary, carrying the 



* As of Rev. William Buckland, see W. J. Broderip, Zoological Journal, ii., v., 19, 

 published April 1825 ; also of F. T. Buckland, op. cit., edition of 1879, series 2, 

 132. 



2 There is a translation of a French version in Zoologist, 1887, 306 ; and Harting 

 refers me to Le Chasseur Fram^ois {St Etienne), ist June 1898, and to Chasse et 

 Peche, (Brussels), 24th June 1894, for other recent accounts, but I have been unable 

 to see either journal. 



^ Vermin of the Farm, 1892, reprint, 33. 



* The Fairyland of Living Things, 1907, 95. 



