i 



TOUCH. 205 



leaves, it was amusing to see how solicitous they 

 appeared to be to make the most of these in forming 

 their cells. One of them made the side of the glass 

 a part of the wall of its cell, against which it formed 

 a sort of arch with such leaves as chanced to be within 

 its reach ; but as it seemed to have no idea of bringing 

 materials from a distance, the covering was thin and 

 imperfect. The other attempted to establish itself in 

 the middle of the area, apart from the sides of the 

 glass ; but it was less successful than its fellow, as it 

 always deranged the portion of wall it had constructed 

 by turning about in search of materials. It was 

 curious to remark the different habits of two other 

 species of the family (Helix aspersa, and Helix nerno- 

 ralis, MULLER), confined under the same glass. The 

 latter, giving themselves no trouble about a covering, 

 crept quietly up as high as they could get, and formed 

 their calcareous lid (pperculum) upon the bare glass. 

 The second of the edible snails was at length reluc- 

 tantly compelled to follow their example, after being 

 foiled in all attempts to cover itself with a dome of 

 leaves. 



Our common hedge-hog (Erinaceus Europceus) 

 makes a similar preparation to the preceding for his 

 winter's sleep, being frequently found so bewrapped 

 in leaves, as to have little resemblance to an animal. 

 The hedge -hog however has not, so far as we are 

 aware, been ever observed in the act of forming this 

 covering of leaves, though it is supposed to roll itself 

 about till its spines take up a sufficient number, in the 

 same way as it is popularly believed (without proof) 

 to do with apples. That it collects leaves for this pur- 

 pose, and carries them to its den, has been repeatedly 

 witnessed ; and when domesticated it will construct 

 a barricade of leaves at the mouth of its den*. It 



* Gent, Mag. for June 1782. 



