THE HEDGE-HOG. 



yellowilh and cinereous hair; and its back is armed with a row of ftrong, 

 lharp fpines, of a whitilh colour, interfered with a black itripe. 



During the day this animal keeps retired in fmall thickets, hedges, or 

 dry ditches ; but in the night it roams abroad in queft of worms, fruits, 

 beetles, and all kinds of infe&s, which conftitute its food. Peafants have 

 fometimes accufed it of no&urnal depredations on the udders of their cows, 

 but this charge is considered, by naturalifts, as altogether groundlefs. 



The Hedge-Hog is naturally a mild and inofFenfive creature; and is 

 eafily taken, as it neither attempts to defend itfelf, nor eludes the danger by 

 flight; but merely flirinks from the touch into its circular form, which it 

 will not eafily relinquifli unlefs immerfed in water. It is laid, that an 

 animal of this defcription was once fo completely domefticated as to obey 

 the call of its matter, and occafionally to perform the duty of a turnfpit. 



When the cheerlefs feafon of winter congeals the limpid rivulets, and 

 fpreads a mantle of fnow over the bofom of the earth, the Hedge Hog 

 wraps itfelf fecurely in a comfortable neft of mofs and leaves, and repofes 

 fweetly till the return of fpring. If taken out in this fituation it appears 

 completely tor pid> Dut foon recovers on being laid before the fire. 



Hedge-Hog£ are commonly found in Europe, Madagafcar, and fome 

 parts of Rmlia* 



