37 



ORDER CARNARIA. FAMILY Insectivora. 



THE HEDGEHOG, OR URCHIN. (Erinaceus E.urop<eus.} 



The hedgehog inhabits most of the temperate countries of 

 Europe. It is found throughout England ; in Donegal,* and 

 probably other counties of Ireland. Mr. George Duncan says 

 it is found in Renfrewshire, in Scotland 5 f but a well-known 

 newspaper, J edited by a Scotchman, stated some few years ago 

 that the hedgehog is seldom seen so far north as Elgin, and then 

 only in caravans. 



It is about eleven inches long, from the nose to the end of the 

 tail, which is so concealed by its spines or bristles as to be 

 scarcely visible 5 the whole upper part of its body and sides are 

 closely covered with strong sharp-pointed spines of an inch in 

 length ; its mouth is small but well furnished with teeth 5 its 

 eyes are small and placed high in the head 5 and its ears are 

 short, broad, and rounded. Dr. Farrar says, that many sports- 

 men and gamekeepers have assured him that the hedgehog's 

 sense of hearing is very acute ; but adds, that when they have 

 been closely pressed, as to whether or not its alarms are received 

 through the organs of vision or. hearing, they seemed doubtful. 



* Magazine of Natural History, vol. v. p. 579. t l&M. p. 571. 



Morning Advertiser, August 20, 1830. 



