BOOK VIII.] History of Nature. 65 



CHAPTER XXXVII. 



Of the Rats of Pontus, and the Alps ; also of Hedgehogs. 



THE Rats of Pontus, 1 those at least which are white, 

 come not abroad in the Winter : they have a most exquisite 

 Taste in their Feeding; but I wonder how the Authors that 

 have written this, should be able to know it. Those of the 

 Alps, 2 also, which are as big as Badgers, 3 lie concealed during 

 Winter ; but they are provided with Victuals before-hand, 

 which they gather together and carry into their Holes. And 

 some say, that when the Male or Female, by turns, is laden 

 with a Bundle of Herbs, as much as it can grasp within the 

 four Legs, it lieth upon the Back, and then the other taketh 

 hold by the Tail with its Mouth, and draweth it into the 

 Cave : and hence it is that at that Time their Backs are 

 bare. The like of these live also in Egypt; 4 and in the same 

 Manner they sit upon their Buttocks, 5 and go by Starts on 

 their two hind Feet, using their Fore Feet instead of Hands. 



Hedgehogs 6 also prepare their Provisions for Winter. 

 They roll themselves upon Apples that lie on the Ground, 

 and which thus become fixed on their Spines ; and one more 

 besides they take in their Mouth, and so carry them into 

 hollow Trees. By their stopping one or other of the Holes 

 of their Shelter, Men know when the Wind will change 

 from North to South. When they perceive some one hunt- 

 ing them, they draw their Mouth and Feet close together, 

 with all their lower Part, where they have a thin and soft 

 Down, and so roll themselves into the Shape of a Ball 



1 Mustela erminea. LINN. The Ermine Weasel. The Ponticus 

 Mus is supposed to be the Ermine, or some nearly allied species. Wern. 

 Club. 



2 Mus Marmota. LINN. The Marmot. The Alpinus Mus is pro- 

 bably identical with the Marmot. Wern. Club. 



3 Lib. viii. 38. 



4 Dipus Sagitta. SWAIN. The Gerbo. That the Egyptian Mus of 

 Pliny is the Gerbo, or Jerboa, there can be no doubt. Wern. Club. 



5 Lib. x. 65. 



6 Erinaceus Europaus. LINN. The Hedgehog. Wern. Club. 



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