Clafsl. HEDGE HOG. 107 



the color of the nofe is dusky •, it is covered by a few 

 fcattered hairs : the upper part of the head, the fides, 

 and the rump, are clothed with {Irong ftiff hairs, ap- 

 proaching the nature of bridles, of a yellowifh and 

 cinereous hue. 



The legs are fhort, of a dusky color, and almofl 

 bare : the toes on each toot are five in number, long 

 and feparated the whole way : the thumb or interior 

 toe, is much fhorter than the others : the claws long, 

 but v/eak : the whole upper part of the body and 

 fides, are clofely covered with ftrong fpines, of an inch 

 in length, and very (liarp pointed : their lower part is- 

 white, the middle black, the points white. The eyes 

 are fmall and placed high in the head : the ears are 

 round, pretty large and naked. The mouth is fmall, 

 but well furnilhed with teeth : in each jaw are two 

 fharp pointed cutting teeth : in the upper jaw are on 

 each fide four tufhes, and five grinders : in the lower 

 jaws on each fide are three tufhes, pointing obliquely 

 forward; and beyond thofe, four grinders. MY.BriJfon^ 

 from whofe obfervations this account of the teeth has 

 been taken, has given a very accurate figure of the 

 jaws and teeth, p. 295. 



The hedge hog is a no6lurnal animal, keeping re- 

 tired in the day ; but is in motion the whole night, in 

 fearchof food. It generally refides in fmall thickets, 

 in hedges, or in ditches covered with bufhes ; lying 

 well wrapped up, in mofs, grafs, or leaves : its food 

 is roots, fruits, worms, and infeds : it lies under the 

 undeferved reproach of fucking cattle, and hurting 

 their udders; but the fmallnefs of its mouth renders 

 that impoifible. 



It 



