618 MAMMALIA. 



their prickles like so many spits to carry oS fruit to their 

 retreats ; for, ou the one hand, we cannot see in what way they 

 could get rid of their load when they arrive at their destina- 

 tion ; and, on the other, it must be remembered that they do not 

 collect a store of provisions. 



During winter. Hedgehogs hybernate. As soon as the tem- 

 perature approaches freezing-point, it retires to its hole, and 

 remains torpid imtil the following spring. At this peiiod it is 

 enveloped in a thick layer of fat, which sufEces for support during 

 the winter sleep. 



The duration of gestation in these creatures is not ascertained ; 

 but it is known that the young do not appear before the end of 

 May. The progeny numbers from three to seven. On their white 

 skins appear black points which indicate where the prickles will 

 come. 



The intelligence of the Hedgehog is very limited, and it can, 

 with difficulty, be tamed. It nevertheless would appear that on 

 the banks of the Don and the Volga it is reared in houses like 

 domestic Cats. AVhen allowed to run about in gardens, it usefully 

 employs itself in destroying a great number of noxious insects. 



Two species of Hedgehog are known. 



The Common Hedgehog (Fig. 226) is widely spread in Europe. 

 It is to this species that the preceding details more particiJarly 

 refer. Nowadays but little interest attaches to this animal ; but 

 in olden times it was very different. The ancients used to hunt 

 it for its spines, which they employed in carding wool. At a 

 later period, medicine made use of parts of its carcass in several 

 maladies. 



The Long-eared Hedgehog is distinguished fi'om the preceding, 

 not only by a greater amplitude in the external auditorial conch, 

 but also by larger eyes, longer legs, a shorter tail, and blunter spines. 

 It is a native of Eastern Eussia, Western Siberia, and Tartary. 

 Not so well protected as the other species, it readily falls into the 

 power of its enemies. Birds of prey destroy a large number on the 

 banks of the Oural. 



Genus Tanrec. — The Tanrecs are denizens of Madagascar, and 

 bear a great analogy to the Hedgehogs, as much with regard to 

 their figure as in their habits. They are divided into Tanrecs 

 and Tendracs. 



