552 



INSECTIVORA. 



part of its surface, so that it cannot be touched with impunity. 

 A thorough-bred Terrier will, however, sometimes succeed in forcing 

 open the poor " Urchin," at the expense of a bloody nose and sorely 

 pricked paws. The young Hedgehogs, frequently called Hedgepigs, 

 are born blind ; the points of the pricks at the time of birth already 

 project from the skin, but are soft and flexible. The female is a 

 careful and attentive mother. 



The Moles (Talpa) are everywhere distinguishable by their subter- 

 ranean habits, and by their strange conformation, which is admirably 



r 



FIG. 477. MOLE. 



adapted to their mode of life. Their fore-limbs, very short, sup- 

 ported by a strong and vigorous construction of the shoulder ; and 

 wielded by muscles of enormous strength, resemble broad hands, 



FlG. 478. HAND OF MOLE. 



the palms of which are directed outwards and backwards : the 

 fingers are scarcely perceptible, but the nails at their extremities 

 are long, flat, cutting, and of great strength, wonderfully contrived 



