162 CLASS MAMMALIA. 



different from each other, are of the insectivorous charac- 

 ter in all the species. 



The Hedgehog, which forms the first sub-genus of the 

 insectivorous family, has been also called in popular lan- 

 guage the Urchin, a word obviously derived, as well as the 

 French word Herisson from Erinaceus, the name by which 

 the Latins designated our Hedgehog, as the Greeks termed 

 it echinos. From the species to which this name has been 

 applied, it has been extended to others bordering thereon, 

 and thus it has at length become a generic appellation. 



The Hedgehogs appertain to that family of the insecti- 

 vora, which subsist for the most part on little animals, on 

 insects, and on fruits. The cheek-teeth of this genus, with 

 few exceptions, are distinguished by conical points, which 

 are mutually intergrained together. They are plantigrade, 

 dig into the earth to conceal themselves, pass their lives in 

 a state of repose approaching to lethargy, and escape from 

 their enemies by means of the obscurity in which they en- 

 velope themselves. Their gait is heavy, and their intelli- 

 gence very limited. They may be so far domesticated as 

 to be brought up in gardens, where, without doing any 

 mischief, they may prove of considerable service in destroy- 

 ing many hurtful insects. It is said that their flesh is good 

 for eating. 



The Hedgehogs have on each foot five toes, armed with 

 nails proper for the purpose of digging. The soles are 

 naked, and provided with projecting tubercles, which cover 

 a soft skin underneath. The ear is rounded, and of a very 

 simple structure. The eye is small with a round pupil. 

 The nostrils, which extend considerably beyond the lower 

 jaw, have their openings on each side of the muzzle, the 

 external edge of which is fringed. The lips are entire, the 

 tongue soft, and there are no cheek-pouches. The upper 

 parts of the body are covered with thorns or bristles. On 



