LAND MAMMALS 

 n. Order Insectivora, or Insect-Eating Mammals 



Hedgehog. — Owing to Its nocturnal habits, the Hedge- 

 hog (Fig. 5) is not nearly so well-known as its plentiful 

 distribution warrants, but whenever discovered it is 

 sure to arouse the curiosity of the casual observer, to 

 whom it is only known by sight. So far as we are aware, 

 this ancient animal does not possess a natural enemy, 

 as its prickly armour of spines so ably protects it, and 

 it has not been necessary for it to change its attire all 

 through the ages that have come and gone since the far- 

 away Miocene time. True enough, the game-preserver 

 detests, and makes war upon it because of its fondness 

 for the eggs of Partridge and Pheasant ; but, with this 

 exception, the Hedgepig, as it is also called, has little to 

 fear. 



It runs with adroitness, is very intelligent (for one we 



kept as a pet responded to the call of its name), rolls 



into a ball at the sign of danger, and, what is of great 



interest, it is a splendid swimmer. We have watched it 



outmanoeuvre a terrier dog in the water with much 



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