HEDGEHOG. 1 l;j 



molar, though Desmarest and others consider it a canine, — 

 a cUiss of teeth which, according to the former celebrated 

 zoologist, is absolutely wanting in this genus. It resem- 

 bles a false molar in havino- two roots. There are three 

 other false molars, the first two smaller than the former, 

 and the last having somewhat the form of the true 

 molars, but with the anterior outer cusp very large, 

 somewhat like the carnassial tooth in the Carnivora. The 

 first two true molars are large, nearly quadrate, and 

 furnished with strong acute tubercles ; the first of these 

 is the largest ; the last molar is a small tooth, placed 

 obliquely, and having in some measure a cutting edge. 

 In the lower jaw the central incisive teeth stand nearly 

 forwards, and much resemble those of the upper jaw. 

 The three following teeth are considered by M. Frederic 

 Cuvier as false molars : if this be correct, there are but 

 two incisive teeth in the lower jaw. The two anterior 

 of these so-called false molars stand forwards, and are 

 very similar to the lateral incisive teeth of the upper 

 jaw; the third is also oblique, but more nearly approaches 

 a perpendicular position. Following these anomalous 

 small teeth, is a prominent tooth of greater size, and 

 separated from them by an interval, nearly vertical in 

 position, but oblique in form, and with two principal 

 cusps, and an inner rudimentary one. There is nothing- 

 anomalous about either the form or position of this 

 tooth ; it is clearly the last pre-molar, and to it succeed 

 the three true molars, — the first being the largest, with 

 five well-marked cusps ; the second smaller, with four 

 sharp cusps, and an anterior rudimentary one ; and the 

 third altogether small, with one pointed inner posterior 

 cusp, and two other rudimentary ones. 



The neck is short. The whole body is covered above 

 and at the sides with numerous sharp, hard, round spines. 



