5 ,6 MY GARDEN. 



a lucid and convincing letter to a newspaper, with fabulous quotations, 

 to prove that these marks were made by a Northern animal called 

 a Uniped. He confided to me the secret, and was convulsed with 

 laughter when he stated that he could not persuade those who had 

 read his letter that such an animal as a uniped never could have 

 existed. These aforesaid marks are made by Pussy, who in walking 

 brings the hind-foot into the hole in the snow where the fore-foot had 

 been before. 



We very rarely have a visit from Squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris, fig. 

 nio), although they sometimes come to feast upon the beech-nuts. 

 They are easily tamed when young, and are charming companions ; 

 at times, however, they are apt to damage the curtains. I have had 

 at various times several as pets. They are hurtful in a garden, but 



,. ixix." Hedgehog. 

 FlG. 1 1 10. Squirrel. 



delightful ornaments to a wood, for it is extremely pleasing to see 

 them skipping from tree to tree upon the interlacing branches. 

 "The squirrel, flippant, pert, and full of play." COWPER. 



We have only once seen one Hedgehog (Erinaceus europceus, fig. 1 1 1 1) 

 in my grounds, though I have found the animal all round London. 

 These animals are carnivorous, and feed upon beetles. It is a restless 

 animal in confinement. 



" Hedgehogs, which 



Lie tumbling in my bare-foot way, and mount 

 Their pricks at my footfall." SHAKSPEARE, Tempest. 



Two species of Bats appear to reside with us, and delight us with 

 their flight in the evening. Why these interesting creatures should be 

 typical of the infernal regions is not easy to say, especially as they do 



