ASTATIC HEDGEHOG. 
and that of Madagascar ; are, when of their 
full growth, of the size of Rabbits, but those 
in the Cabinet of the French King were much 
smaller, being probably young; grunt like 
hogs; grow very fat; multiply greatly; fre- 
quent shallow pieces of fresh or salt water; 
burrow on land ; and lie torpid six months, 
during which time their old hair falls off. 
Their flesh is eaten by the Indians, but is very 
flabby and insipid/* 
