HEDGEHOGS, 



limbs are relatively shorter than in the typical jumping shrews, while the muzzle 

 is so much produced as to form a veritable trunk. The reduction in the number of 

 the teeth is due to the disappear- 

 ance of two out of the three pairs 

 of incisors in the upper jaws ; and 

 in very aged individuals even the 

 single remaining pair may be shed, 

 thus leaving the creature without 

 any upper front teeth. The length 

 of the head and body of the best- 

 known species is about 8 inches; 

 and that of its long, scaly, rat-like 

 tail somewhat less. Its general 

 colour is rusty -brown, becoming 

 blacker on the top of the head and 

 along the back; while the flanks 

 have some bright reddish spots 

 just below the hinder part of the 

 back. 



From the reduc- 

 tion in the number of 

 their teeth and toes, as well as 



from the prolongation of the ROCK JUMPING SHREW ( nat. size). (From a Plate by Peters.) 

 muzzle, we may regard the long- 

 nosed jumping shrews as very specialised creatures. Unfortunately, we know 

 little or nothing of their habits ; but from their relatively shorter hind-legs it may 

 be assumed that they are less habitual leapers than the typical members of 

 the family. Like many of the more aberrant Insectivores, the long-nosed jumping 

 shrews appear to be very rare animals. 



Habits. 



THE HEDGEHOGS AND GYMNURAS. 

 Family ERINACEID^. 



The hedgehogs and their near allies the gymnuras constitute a well-marked 

 family, distinguished by several important characters from the preceding groups. 

 The more important of these characteristics are, however, of such a nature as to 

 be but briefly referred to in this place. It may be observed, however, that the 

 brain (as may be readily seen from the dimensions of its chamber in the dried 

 skull) is relatively smaller, and the union of the anterior elements of the pelvis in 

 the middle line on the inferior aspect of the body shorter than in the preceding 

 families. Further, if the cavity for the eye in the dried skull be examined, it will 

 be found that there is not even a trace of any bony process to mark off its 

 hinder limit from the larger hollow containing the muscles that work the lower 

 jaw. With the exception of one species, all the members of the family have five- 

 toed feet, provided with simple claws not adapted for digging ; this feature being 



