134 



THE HEDGEHOG. 



which does not seem to penetrate so far as the mus- 

 cular fibre. Now, this little quadruped, upon sus- 

 picion of harm, rolls itself up in a ball, hiding his 

 nose and eyes in the hollow of his stomach, and 

 thus the common organs of perception, hearing, 

 seeing, smelling, are precluded from action ; but 

 by the sensibility of the spines, he seems fully ac- 

 quainted with every danger that may threaten him ; 

 and upon any attempt to uncoil himself, if these 

 spines be touched, he immediately retracts, assum- 

 ing his globular form again^ awaiting a more secure 

 period for retreat. 



A, A, are spines of the hedgehog enlarged ; 

 B, a segment, to shew the numerous tubes of communication. 



The harvest mouse (mus messorius} in some 

 seasons is common with us, but, like other species 

 of mice, varies much in the numbers found. I 

 have seen their nests as late as the middle of Sep- 

 tember, containing eight young ones, entirely filling 

 the little interior cavity. Those nests vary in shape, 



