518 
MAMMALIA. 
their prickles like so many spits to carry off fruit to their 
retreats ; for, on the one hand, we cannot see in what way they 
could get rid of their load when they arrive at their destina- 
tion ; and, on the other, it must be remembered that they do not 
collect a store of provisions. 
During winter, Hedgehogs hybernate. As soon as the tem- 
perature approaches freezing-point, it retires to its hole, and 
remains torpid until the following spring. At this period it is | 
enveloped in a thick layer of fat, which suffices for support during j 
the winter sleep. 
The duration of gestation in these creatures is not ascertained ; 
but it is known that the young do not appear before the end of 
May. The progeny numbers from three to seven. On their white : 
skins appear black points which indicate where the prickles will 
come. 
The intelligence of the Hedgehog is very limited, and it can, 
with difficulty, be tamed. It nevertheless would appear that on 
the banks of the Don and the Volga it is reared in houses like 
domestic Cats. When allowed to run about in gardens, it usefully 
employs itself in destroying a great number of noxious insects. 
Two species of Hedgehog are known. 
The Common Hedgehog (Fig. 226) is widely spread in Europe. 
It is to this species that the preceding details more particularly 
refer. Nowadays but little interest attaches to this animal ; but 
in olden times it was very different. The ancients used to hunt 
it for its spines, which they employed in carding wool. At a 
later period, medicine made use of parts of its carcass in several 
maladies. 
The Long-eared Hedgehog is distinguished from the preceding, j 
not only by a greater amplitude in the external auditorial conch, 
but also by larger eyes, longer legs, a shorter tail, and blunter spines. 
It is a native of Eastern Hussia, Western Siberia, and Tartary. 
Not so well protected as the other species, it readily falls into the 
power of its enemies. Birds of prey destroy a large number on the 
banks of the Oural. 
Genus Tanrec . — The Tanrecs are denizens of Madagascar, and 
bear a great analogy to the Hedgehogs, as much with regard to 
their figure as in their habits. They are divided into Tanrecs 
and Tendracs. 
