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LONG-EARED HEDGEHOG. 



The generic name, Ptilocercus, is compounded of two Greek words, signifying 

 " feather-tailed," and is therefore very appropriately given to this singular creature. 



The HEDGEHOG finds representatives in many parts of the world, which seem to be 

 possessed of the same propensities whether they are found in England, in India, or in 

 Africa. There are several species of this curious animal, which are remarkable for two 

 or three peculiarities of form and habit. 



The external characteristic which immediately strikes the attention of the beholder is 

 the formidable array of bristling spines with which the back is more or less covered, 

 and which offers a chevaux-de-frise of sharp spikes towards any animal that may present 

 itself as an enemy. Another peculiarity, is the power possessed by these creatures of 

 rolling themselves into a round ball, by placing the head on the breast, drawing up the 

 legs, and curling the body firmly round these members. By this posture, the Hedge- 

 hogs render themselves invulnerable to almost every animal that may attack them, and 

 defend the legs, abdomen, and other portions of the body that are left unprotected by 

 nature. When in this curious attitude, the Hedgehog cannot be unrolled by main force, 

 as long as any life remains in the body, for there is an enormously developed muscle, 



LONG-EARED HEDGEHOG. Erfoaceus aurttus. 



with a very thick margin, which spreads over the back and round the sides, and which 

 when contracted, holds the creature in so firm an embrace that it will be torn in pieces 

 rather than yield its point. 



The technical name of this muscle is panniculus carnbsus, and it is by means of this 

 muscle that bears and other animals are able to shake their skins when they are irritated 

 by any substance that clings to the hair, and which they cannot reach with their teeth. 



The Hedgehogs are plantigrade in their gait, and, like the generality of plantigrade 

 animals, are not particularly active or rapid in their movements. Although they gener- 

 ally prefer a deliberate pace when they are not alarmed or hurried, they can get over 

 the ground with no small speed when they feel themselves called upon to make such 

 an exertion. 



The feet of the Hedgehog are furnished with five toes, those of the fore-feet terminated 

 with tolerably strong claws, which, although not so evidently fossorial as those of the 

 moles and other insectivorous animals, are yet very capable of digging, and are used 

 effectually for that purpose. The soles of the feet are naked. The limbs and the entire 

 under surface of the body are undefended by the stiff prickles which are so thickly set 



