182 BRITISH QUADRUPEDS. 



\vater ; and the more it is harassed or frightened, the 

 closer it shuts itself up. While in this state, most 

 dogs stand off and bark, not daring to seize it ; and if 

 they once attempt to make it a prey, their mouths 

 are so pricked with its bristles, that it is with diffi- 

 culty they can be made to repeat the attack. It has no 

 other means of protection, and consequently is easily 

 taken. 



Mrs. Charlotte Smith, when she condemned all wan- 

 ton assaults on this animal, thus addressed a hedgehog, 

 observed in a frequented path ; but, as we have seen, 

 its food is more various than she has stated it to be. 



Wherefore should man, or thoughtless boy, 



Thy quiet, harmless life destroy, 



Innoxious urchin ? For thy food 



Is but the beetle and the fly, 



And all thy harmless luxury 



The swarming insects of the wood. 



Should man, to whom his God has given 

 Reason, the brightest ray of heaven, 

 Delight to hurt, in senseless mirth, 

 Inferior animals ? and dare 

 To use his power in waging war 

 Against his brethren of the earth ? 



Poor creature ! To the woods resort, 

 Lest, lingering here, inhuman sport 

 Should render vain thy thorny case ; 

 And whelming water, deep and cold, 

 Make thee thy spiny ball unfold, 

 And show thy simple negro face ! 



