THE HEDGEHOG OR URCHIN. 261 



rockery, and again fell off as though for no other 

 reason than that of making itself conspicuous ! 



I have, when rabbit-shooting, seen a hedgehog 

 roll down from the top of the hedge-bank to the 

 bottom presumably as the quickest and easiest 

 way of getting there ; and doubtless, by rolling, 

 running, and dodging through the densest thickets, 

 a hedgehog can cover a considerable amount of 

 ground during its evening rambles. 



The quills of the urchin are subject to the perfect 

 control of the muscles of the skin. The skin can 

 be moved forward so that the quills, pointing in 

 a forward direction, protect the animal's face and 

 head from assault while it is eating. In this way 

 it is able calmly to devour the young of a desperate 

 woodland mother, while the bereft parent merely 

 brings injury upon herself by her attacks. The 

 case quoted of the hedgehog devouring the young 

 rat, while other rats vainly attempted a belated 

 rescue, is an example very much to the point. 



When a hedgehog is rolled up, the quills are so 

 placed in the skin that they point in every con- 

 ceivable direction. It is impossible to touch the 

 creature without meeting a bayonet-point, though 

 ordinarily, when the hedgehog is running about, 

 the quills lie flat on the skin, so that it can be 

 stroked without discomfort to the stroker. 



As to whether or not this animal should be 

 destroyed is purely a question of locality. In 

 gardens it is beneficial, and worth cultivating as a 

 pet. On game-reserves only is it detrimental to 

 man's interests, and so much of the fauna of the 

 country is sacrificed at the shrine of the sacred 

 pheasant that the destruction of hedgehogs can 

 safely be left entirely to the game-keeping fra- 

 ternity. Gipsies kill hundreds ; and now and then 



