448 



HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



The HEDGE-HOG, or URCHIN, 



DESTITUTE of every other means of defence, 

 is provided by Nature with a fpinous armour, 

 which fecures it from the attacks of all the fmaller beafts 



of prey, fuch as Weafels, Martins, Polecats, &c. 



When alarmed, it immediately collects itfelf into the 

 form of a ball, and prefents on all fides a furface covered 

 with {harp points, which few animals are hardy enough 

 to engage. The more it is harrafled, the clofer it rolls 

 itfelf j till its fears become an additional means of fafe- 

 ty, by caufing it to void its urine, which, running over 

 its whole body, frequently obliges its enemy to defift, 

 difgufted by the fmell. 



There are few Dogs that will venture to attack the 

 Hedge-hog, except fuch as are trained to the fport, 

 merely to gratify the cruel pleafure of feeing a harmlefs 

 animal endure, with aftonifhing patience, the mod wan- 

 ton outrages ; whilft the Dogs, becoming more enraged 

 at the wounds they receive from its prickles, at laft 

 oblige it to unfold itfelf: and it then foon falls a victim 

 to their fury. 



The Hedge-hog generally refides in fmall thickets and 

 hedges ; lives oa fruits, worms, beetles, and all kinds of 



