94 INSECT-EATERS 



No British mammal hibernates more thoroughly than the 

 Hedgehog ; and it provides not the slightest store upon 

 which to dine during any unexpected period of wakeful- 

 ness. That the creature is occasionally seen abroad in 

 the winter months is no argument against its hibernation. 

 Indeed, it is a fact that extreme cold frequently arouses 

 hibernating animals from their torpidity ; and, once roused 

 from any cause, it is quite likely that the hungry Hedgehog 

 will search about for food to make a scanty meal before 

 resuming its interrupted slumber. 



If we forgive it a few pheasant and partridge eggs, the 

 Hedgehog may be regarded as a useful animal ; and it is 

 often utilised to clear houses of various noxious beetles. 

 The animal is but little used for food. Gipsies are said 

 to be rather fond of it, enveloping it in well-kneaded 

 clay and then thrusting it into the heart of a fire. When 

 the cooking is complete the skin and prickles come away 

 with the clay. 



FAMILY TALPID^. 



MOLE (Talpa europceus). 

 Coloured Plate IV. Fig. 5. 



The common Mole is the best example of the family 

 Talpidae, all of which chiefly live underground. It is 

 general over all Central Europe and Asia, well known in 

 England and Scotland, but is totally absent from Ireland. 

 A consideration of its build will show how perfectly the 

 creature is adapted to its mode of life below the surface of 

 the ground. Seldom exceeding eight inches in length, 

 including the tail, the body is cylindrical in form. The 

 head is large ; the snout is slender, strong, and sinewy ; and 

 there is an absence of neck, which would be a weakness in 

 the animal, just as it would be in the case of a boring tool. 



The fore legs, terminating in five long and strong claws, 

 are short ; while the feet are broad and spadelike, and, 

 considering their size, are extremely strong. They are 

 turned outwards, with back-turned claws, to enable the 



