ERI 
this state to its usual form without the ap- 
plication of cold water, on being immersed 
in which, it appears in its usual shape. It 
lies in this ball-like form during the winter 
in its mossy nest, insensible to the extre- 
mity of the cold, and, on the approach of 
spring, resumes its nocturnal researches. It 
is perfectly harmless, and in some countries 
is said to be domesticated, and in this state 
is employed by the Calmucks in their habi- 
tations to clear them from various annoying 
insects, It possesses a considerable odour 
of musk. It is occasionally hunted by dogs, 
which, however, before they are disciplined 
to the pursuit, are not fond of encountering 
these animals, being deterred by their hor- 
rid aspect, or wounding bristles. They 
soon, however, find their superiority, and 
after a little irritation from the spines of the 
animal, are exasperated to the full applica- 
tion of their teeth, which the liedge-hog is 
totally unable to resist, Finding his globu- 
lar form now cease to be his effectual secu- 
rity, he unrolls himself, and falls an imme- 
diate victim to the dogs, who are generally 
urged on to the sport by persons of far 
greater curiosity than sensibility. See Mam- 
malia, Plate XII. fig. 1 . 
E. nijilaccensis, or the Malacca hedge- 
hog, is about the size of the common por- 
cupine ; its ears are long and pendulous, 
and its spines, or rather quills, are stated 
to vary on different parts of the animal 
from the length of an inch to a foot and a 
half. It is remarkable for a concretion in 
the gall-bladder about the size of a walnut, 
which is intensely bitter, and which, in the 
days of medical ignorance and superstition, 
was imagined to possess the highest virtue 
in cases of fever and other malignant dis- 
eases, and, when found entire, has been 
sold occasionally for more than two hun- 
dred pounds. These bezoars, however, are 
by no means peculiar to this animal. See 
Mammalia, Plate XII. fig. 2. 
ERINUS, in botany, a genus of the Di- 
dynamia Angiospermia class and order. Na- 
tural order of Personat®. Pediculares, 
Jussieu. Essential character: calyx five- 
leaved ; corolla border five-cleft, equal, 
with the lobes, emarginate ; upper lip very- 
short, reflex ; capsule two-celled. There 
are thirteen species. The flowers in this 
genus are either axillary, or with one bracte 
to each, in a terminating spike; leaves 
alternate. They are chiefly natives of 
Africa. 
ERIOCAULON, a genus of the Trian- 
dria Tryginia class and order. Natural 
ERM 
order of Ensat®. Junci, Jussieu. Essential 
character: calyx common, an imbricate 
head ; petals three, equal ; stamina upon 
the germ. There are six species. 
ERIOCEPHALUS, in botany, a genus 
of the Syngenesia Polygamia Necessaria 
class and order. Natural order of Compo- 
sit® Nucamentace®. Corymbifer®,- Jus- 
sieu. Essential character : receptacle sub- 
villose ; down none ; calyx ten-leaved, equal ; 
in the ray five floscules. There are two 
species, viz. E. africanus, cluster-leaved 
eriocephalus, and E. racemosus, silvery- 
leaved eriocephalus. Both natives of the 
Cape of Good Hope. 
The leaves of the first mentioned are 
woolly; they come out in clusters, some 
taper and entire, others divided into three 
pairs, which spread open like a hand ; they 
have a strong smell when bruised, approach- 
ing to that of lavender cotton, though not 
so rank. The flowers are produced in small 
clusters at the ends of the branches, stand- 
ing erect. The female florets which com- 
pose the ray form a hollow, in the middle of 
which the hermaphrodite florets forming the 
disk are situated. 
ERIOPHORUM, in botany, cotton grass, 
k genus of the Triandria Monogynia class and 
order. Natural order of Calamaria. Cype- 
roide®, Jussieu. Essential character: glumes 
chaffy, imbricate every way ; corolla none ; 
seed one, surrounded with a very long wool. 
There are six species. These are bog 
plants, and are nearly allied to the grasses ; 
they are rarely cultivated in gardens. 
ERIOSPERMUM, in botany, a genus 
of the Hexandria Monogynia class and or- 
der. Corolla six pe tailed, campanulate, 
permanent ; filaments dilated at the base ; 
capsule three-celled ; seeds invested with 
waol. There are three species. 
ERIOSTEMUM, in botany, a genus of 
the Decandria Monogynia class and order. 
Calyx five-parted ; petals five, sessile ; sta- 
mina flat, ciliate; anther® pCdicelled ter- 
minal; style from the base of the germ ; 
capsules five, united, seated on a nectary 
covered with protuberances ; seeds coated. 
One species, viz. E. australasia. 
ERITHALIS, in botany, a genus of the 
Pentandria Monogynia class and order. 
Natural order of Rubigce®, Jussieu. Es- 
sential character : corolla five-parted, with 
the divisions bent back; calyx pitcher- 
shaped ; berry ten-celled, inferior. There 
are two species, viz. the fruticosa and poly- 
gam a. 
ERMIN. SeeMusTELA. 
E 2 
