COMMON HEDGEHOG. 
467 
very troublesome weed ; but they in some mea- 
sure deface the walks,, by digging in them small 
round holes. 
The hedgehog has a very uncommon method of 
defending itself from the attacks of other animals. 
Being possessed of very little strength or agility, 
he neither attempts to fly from, nor to assail his 
enemies ; but erects his bristles, and rolls himself 
up like a ball, exposing no part of his body that 
is not covered with these sharp weapons. He will 
not unfold himself unless thrown ihto water ; and 
the more he is frightened or harassed, the closer 
he shuts himself up. While in this state, most 
dogs, instead of biting him, stand off and bark, 
not daring to seize him ; and if they attempt 
it once, their mouths are so pricked with his 
bristles, that it is with difficulty they can be pre- 
vailed upon to do it a second time. He is easily 
taken ; for he neither attempts to fly, nor to defend 
himself by any other means than this. 
The hedgehog may be rendered in a considerable 
degree domestic ; and it has been frequently 
introduced into houses for the purpose of ex- 
pelling those troublesome insects the blattas, or 
cock-roaches, which it pursues with avidity, and 
on which it is fond of feeding. By the Calrnuc 
Tartars these animals are kept in their huts in- 
stead of cats. There was a hedgehog in the year 
1799, in the possession of a Mr. Sample, of 
the Angel inn, at Felton, in Northumberland, 
which performed the duty of a turn-spit, as well 
in every respect as a dog of that denomination. 
It ran about the house as familiarly as any other 
domestic quadruped, and displayed an obedience 
till then unknown in this species of animals. It 
used to answer to the name of Tom. 
In the winter the hedgehog wraps itself up in 
a warm nest of moss, dried grass, and leaves^ 
