240 THE HEDGEHOG. 



her litter. On the following days he gave them 

 cherries, bread,, and bullock's liver. Both the mo- 

 ther and her young ones sucked the latter very 

 greedily : they likewise ate a small part of the 

 bread, but would not touch the fruit. The juices 

 which they drew from the meat seem to have ren- 

 dered it unnecessary to give them any water; and 

 consequently, although they were allowed none 

 during the whole time that M. de BufFon kept 

 them., yet they were always fat, and apparently in 

 good health. The legs of the mother were so very 

 short, that when the young ones were inclined to 

 suck, she could not conveniently admit them under 

 her body as she stood, but was obliged to lie down 

 on one side, in order that they might take their 

 food with less difficulty. 



M. de BufFon was inclined to try how far the 

 mother was really attached to her offspring ; and 

 for that purpose he one day opened the door of 

 the cage whilst all the young ones were asleep. 

 As soon as she perceived that the way was clear, 

 she walked out, went to the furthest part of the 

 garden, and would have left them to perish, had 

 she not been carried back*. 



In the summer of 1769, the Reverend Mr. White, 

 of Selborne, procured a litter of young Hedgehogs, 

 apparently five or six days old. These were all 



Buffon par Sonnini, xxv. p. 237. 



blind 



