The Bessemer indicator., 1893-09-30
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No, Aasrt.A ~ til 49, nss -
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Professor Larg had q female hsdes-
hog, with young ones. tnclosed ID +
box. into which he introduced large
viper of the ordinary kind. Tns lat
ter rolled itself up in an opposite
corner, but the hedgehog scenting It
and slowly approaching without sui.
ficient precaution, was bitten on the
snout, on which drop of blood sp-
peared. Returning to the charge,
she received u second wound in the
tongue. Without allowing herself
to be intimidated. she seized the SER
pent by the body.
The two combatants then became
furious, the hedgehog grunting and
shaking herself, the viper striking
aga ain and again, and providing him
sell at every fresh attack sgainst the
prickly skin of his opponent tud-
denly the hedgehog seized him by
the head, and without any further
sign of emotion, devoured the ante
rior portion OF the serpent, then qui-
etly returned and suckled her young.
The next day the remainder OF the
body was consumed by her. These
experiments were many times re-
peated. and always with the same re-
suit, while neither the mother nor
her litter were in the least degree
injuriously affected In their health
by this curious repast.
The food OF the hedg gehog consists
principally OF insects, beetles, sna!ls,
white worms and vermin OF all kinds.
particularly of mice. If the hedge
l.
were quieter in pursuit OF prey one
would certainly prefer him to cat
as IA house mouser. 1t makes up in
cunning and patience for his want OF
agility, and his noisy movements put
to fight more mice than he destroys.
In granaries and stables. where these
latter obstacles are no objection, he
must surely in time become a useful
domestic animal.
The mole is creature which is
still UNFORTUNATELY for the agricul-
turist) ignorantly regarded as the
enemy OF the farmer and gardener.
Even In this enlightened age the
mole is regarded as the destroyer OF
the useful and valuable roots of our
fields and gardens, while it is impos-
sible to comprehend how, with teeth
formed only for tearing, it could
possibly be open to such an imputa-
tion. Besides, what the mole cate
must surely be found in Its stomach.
The dissection OF dozens Of these
animals by Vogt has never resulted
in the detection of vegetable matter
in its stomach or intestines Experi-
ments with moles kept in confipe-
ment are equally conclusive on this
point.
In the gardens the work Of the
mole is certainly far from agree able.
but the Inconvenience thus caused
by the uprooting of young plants
cannot be compared to the ravages
of the white worms or the larvp Of
the cockchafer which survives for
three years. and during the whole OF
its larv;eal state (of twenty-six
months) feeds voraciously on our
most valuable edible roots. Often
we see large portion OF whole
field looking dry and faded, owing to
the ravages OF the worms on the
roots, and it is these pests which are
the principal food of the mole. The
most superficial examination Of the
body OF a mole will demonstrate the
fact that the animal appeases its
hunger by devouring q quantity OF
larvH equal to half its own weight,
and that in consequence it must de.
stroy an immense number of these
enemies Of agriculture and thus ac-
complish hundred times more work
in that direction Than we could posi-
bly, perform. Nogt says he knows
no other etfectual means of success
fully com batting the white worm than
by the protection and multiplication
of the mole