522 the living world. 
Marsh Shrew ( Neosorex navigator ) is substantially identical with the last-named 
species. 
The Spanish Desman ( Myogale pyrenaico ), like the other desmahs , does not 
burrow, but tunnels passages which, meeting in a common centre, form the 
radii of a circle. Its peculiar secretory glands alike protect it from attack, and 
increase the length of the tail, at the same time better fitting it for use in the water. 
The American Shrew Mole (. Neurotrichus gibbsii) is like the mole in its 
system of dentition, although the teeth themselves are patterned upon those of 
the shrew. It is subterranean and tunnels like the Spanish desman. It is 
found on the prairies in the recent addition to the galaxy of stars and stripes, 
which but recently was not the State but the Territory of Washington. 
The Shrew Mouse, Fetid Shrew, Ranny, or Erd Shrew ( Corsira vulgaris) r 
is a pugnacious little subterranean creature, protected against attacks from 
animals by its exceedingly offensive odor. In seasons when the worms and 
insects dig too deeply for the shrew mouse , the latter dies by hundreds, but finds 
no animal except the owl to offer its stomach as a sepulchre. Around the 
shrew mouse has gathered the most generous abundance of superstitions, mostly 
turning, however, upon its supposed venom. 
The Hedgehog (. Erinaceus europoeus) is well-known because of his prickly 
armor, and his ability, when curled into a ball, to resist all attempts to uncoil 
him. Its spines are about an inch long, lying in a horizontal position, point¬ 
ing backward, and furnished with a head which holds them fast in the skin. 
This armament enables the hedgehog to fall from considerable heights without 
injury. The young are born with unopened eyes and to a careless observer 
would seem to be young birds. It is readily domesticated and is superior to any 
powder in its ability of destroying cockroaches and other insects. It seems to be 
poison-proof and is especially fond of killing and eating snakes. It success¬ 
fully attacks poultry, grouse, and even hares and rabbits, and is not averse to• 
fish. When combative it uses its teeth and claws. It has been known to show 
a fondness for strong drink. 
The Siberian Hedgehog, or Long-eared Hedgehog (. Erinaceus auritus ), 
is smaller than the common hedgehog, and its head is very pig-like in appear¬ 
ance. Its spines are tri-colored—white, brown and yellow. 
The Tanrec, or Madagascar Hedgehog ( Centetes ecaudatus ) is seemingly 
longer in body and limbs. It is tailless, but the length of its muzzle seems 
to be a compensation for this privation. Its quills are shorter and yellow with 
black tips. It passes its winters in a burrow, and while hedgehogs are not, in 
the strictest sense, hibernating animals, they for the most part pass the season in 
a state of lethargy, or torpor. It is nocturnal in its habits and has the color 
of the mole. 
The Spiny Tanrec ( Centetes spinosus) is smaller, and its quills are white,, 
with mahogany-colored tips. Its habitat is Madagascar and it is captured for 
its flesh. 
The Banded Tanrec ( Centetes madagascarensis ) is almost black but has 
three broad stripes of whitish-yellow running longitudinally. It is a native also 
of Madagascar. 
The Sumatran Gymnura ( Gymnura rafflesii ) is an opossum-like animal,, 
prevailingly black with white head, neck, flanks and tail (in the latter half). 
Its white face is made more striking by a pronounced black stripe over each ejfe. 
