544- EUROPEAN HEDGEHOG. 



this state of security it is not easily forced; 

 scarcely any thing but cold water obliging it to 

 unfold itself. It swims perfectly well when thrown 

 into water. 



The Hedgehog is one of those animals which, 

 during the winter, are supposed to continue in a 

 state of torpidity. In that season it lies con- 

 cealed in its hole, surrounded with a bed of moss, 

 secure from the rigours of the most piercing frost, 

 and at the return of spring recommences its wan- 

 derings. It is commonly said that the Hedge- 

 hog, in order to transport apples and other fruit to 

 its place of retirement, rolls itself upon them, and 

 thus conveys them on its spines. Whether this 

 be accurately true I will not take upon myself to 

 determine : the circumstance is related by Aldro- 

 vandus, who tells us that it practises this method 

 of transporting grapes during the vintage. 



The Hedgehog may be rendered in a consider- 

 able degree domestic, and has frequently been in- 

 troduced into houses for the purpose of expelling 

 those troublesome insects the Blattse or Cock- 

 roaches, which it pursues with avidity, and is 

 fond of feeding on. It is itself an occasional ar- 

 ticle of food in some places, and is said to be best 

 in the month of August: they are usually roast- 

 ed ; and Gesner advises that they be first steeped 

 (after skinning) in warm wine and vinegar, and 

 then larded with bacon, and stuck with cloves : 

 but Castor Durantes seems to approve rather of 

 their being made into a pye with plenty of spice 

 and seasoning, in order to obviate the bad qua- 



