354 
THE HEDGEHOG 
This creature, which is an inhabitant of Malacca and Sumatra, bears no slight external 
resemblance to the opossum of America, the similarity being increased by its long and harsh 
hair, and the long scaly tail, sparely furnished with very short hairs. The generic name, 
Gymnura, is derived from two Greek words signifying naked tail, and is, therefore, very 
appropriately applied to this animal. All the feet are terminated by five toes, the three 
middle toes being longer than the others. The muzzle is much lengthened, but is cut off 
rather abruptly at its termination. The eyes are small in proportion to the dimensions of 
their owner, and the ears are small, rounded, and devoid of hairy covering. 
One distinguishing peculiarity of the animal is, that the fur which covers the body and 
head is pierced by a number of very long bristling hairs, that project for a considerable dis- 
HEDGEHOG .— Erinaceus europaeus. 
tance from the body, and are much longer on the neck and shoulders than on any other portion 
of the body. The color of the creature is a rather peculiar mixture of black and white, which 
are arranged as follows : the greater part of the body, the upper portion of the legs, and the 
beginning of the tail, are black ; while the head, the neck, and flanks, and the remainder of 
the tail, are white. There is also a black stripe over each eye, which forms a bold contrast 
with the white fur of the head. 
Like the preceding animals, the Bulau is possessed of glands which secrete a substance of 
a powerful musky smell. For the introduction of this animal to science we are indebted to 
Sir Stamford Raffles, who brought it from Sumatra, and, taking it for one of the viverrine 
animals, described it under the name of Yiverra gymnura. 
The Hedgehog finds representatives in many parts of the world, which seem to be pos- 
sessed of the same propensities, whether they are found in England, in India, or in Africa. 
