CHAPTER OF VARIETIES. 



179 



is the lowest, and so on to about nine inches, with intermediate heights, 

 at the date of this letter, March 4th ; the acorn itself having in the 

 meantime become shrivelled, and lost much of its substance and 

 weight. 



The annexed sketch represents one of the examples above described. 

 The growth of a similar plant will, I am sure, afford an interesting 

 object of observation to any of your readers who are fond of natural 

 history, and may be disposed to try the experiment ; and if, when they 

 have satisfied their curiosity by the phenomenon, they desire to turn it 

 to further account, they may do so, by removing their nursling from 

 the glass to the garden, where they may have the pleasure of seeing the 

 stem, at least, continue to improve under their eyes, the progress of 

 the root being of course known only by its effects in continuing to 

 supply moisture, and thereby giving increase and vigour to the stem. 

 I have in my possession a couple of small oak plants, now growing in 

 the earth, which were raised two or three years ago in glasses after 

 the manner above described. 



Bath, 4th March, 1833. 



On the hedge-hog. — During three seasons I had a black setter 

 dog which was remarkably fond of discovering and pointing hedge- 

 hogs in their winter retreat. By this means I had many opportunities 

 of examining those singular animals, and of ascertaining whether or 

 not they lay up food for winter. It is an opinion as old as Pliny, 

 " prseparant hyemi cibos," but though I have examined many dozens 

 of their hybernacula, I have never been able to discover any of their 

 hoards. It appears to me from a consideration of the very curious, I 

 may even say intricate, manner in which they are inclosed in their 

 globe of withered grass and moss, that they intend it for their dormitory 

 till spring, and can therefore have no occasion for any store of provisions. 

 The hedge-hog feeds on vegetables, slugs, beetles, eggs, &c. The 

 knowledge of the last fact, and the havoc they therefore commit among 

 the game, will, I fear, cause many a keen sportsman to destroy this poor 

 animal as an enemy ; for the true sportsman is a very selfish person, 

 and will not allow either bird or beast to interfere with the objects of 

 his pursuit. The hedge-hog was in great request among the Romans, 

 who eagerly hunted it for its spiny skin, which they converted into 

 cloth brushes. " Hac cute exspoliuntur vestes." Pliny details the 

 method of catching and killing it. 



R. D. 



n 2 



