122 



THE INSECT-EATERS. 



which soon get worn away ; the canines and 

 premolars are not very different in structure, 

 but the first incisor in the upper jaw is strong 

 and vertical, and can play the part of a canine. 



Our Hedgehog (Erinaceus europceus), fig. 

 53, belongs to the type genus. Many fables 

 have been invented regarding this peaceable 

 and timid creature, which sleeps by day 

 rolled up like a ball under bushes or hedges, 

 and roams about by night seeking its food, 

 which is beyond question of the most varied 

 description. Insects and their larvae make 

 up the chief part of it; but eggs, and the 

 small birds which make their nests on the 

 ground, frogs and reptiles, as well as mice, 

 are greedily devoured, and fruits that may 

 have fallen to the ground or which it can reach 

 by climbing form an agreeable dessert. The 

 movements of the hedgehog are sluggish, 

 their steps almost tottering, their gait clumsy 

 but noiseless; yet, in spite of this apparent 

 clumsiness and helplessness, the hedgehog is 

 perhaps even better fitted for hunting mice 

 than the cat. It patiently lies in wait for the 

 nimble rodent at the entrance of its hole, and 

 even shows some skill in reaching its prey by 

 burrowing. The noise which it makes in barns, 

 cellars, and stables perhaps helps to drive 

 away the mice; so much, at least, is certain, 

 that places visited by hedgehogs are soon 

 freed from rats and mice and all their kindred. 



But what makes the hedgehog invaluable is 

 its power of withstanding organic poisons. It 

 eats up the cantharides insects, from which are 

 made the well-known blistering applications, 

 with as much satisfaction as the may-bug, 

 and wages an always successful war against 

 poisonous snakes. This insusceptibility to 

 the action of organic poisons has been con- 

 firmed by repeated experiments. The hedge- 

 hog does not suffer in the least from the bite 

 of a viper which could kill a dog. It is well 

 aware, however, of the dangerous nature of 

 its opponent, for it always begins by crushing 

 a viper's head, while it attacks non- poisonous 

 snakes at any part. 



Although in such battles the hedgehog 

 gives proofs of courage, yet it shows great 

 timidity in its behaviour otherwise. On the 

 least noise it rolls itself up into a ball, and 

 exposes its erect spines to its antagonist. 

 Dogs attack it with fury, but they require a 

 special training to learn how to seize it. 

 The fox, it is said, resorts to disgusting 

 methods to compel it to unrol itself. In spite 

 of its strong smell it is eaten in some parts, 

 but the less strongly smelling females are 

 preferred to the males. 



The female brings forth from four to seven 

 young ones at a time, and even at birth soft 

 spines adhere to the skin by means of a slimy 

 secretion. The mother tends her young 

 with much affection till they are able to 

 supply their own wants. In fig. 53 is repre- 

 sented one of these happy families, which has 

 established itself in a comfortable nest at the 

 foot of a hedge. In the fables the hedgehog 

 plays the part of the shrewd fellow, who beats 

 the hare at running, drives the fox out of his 

 hole, and always manages to get the better 

 of his opponents, whether alone or with the 

 assistance of his wife, who is just like himself, 

 and with whom he lives on the best under- 

 standing. In this respect he forms, it must 

 be admitted, an exception among the In- 

 sectivora, for the pairs remain united the 

 whole year through. 



It is well known that in northern countries 

 the hedgehog passes the winter sleeping. It 

 usually makes a warm nest for itself beneath 

 a hedge, lines it with dry leaves, and rolled 

 up within, it there awaits the return of the 

 spring. Its sleep is not very deep, however, 

 and on warm days in winter it is often to be 

 seen crawling about in search of food. 



THE BORROWERS. 



A group in which the fore-feet are transformed into strong 

 spades. 



In the members of this group the head is 

 always conical and pointed, and often ends 



