Among the insectivorous quadrupeds we have no additions: they are the hedgehog (Erinaceus europæus), the mole (Talpa europæa), the common shrew mouse (Sorex tetragonurus), the water shrew (S. fodiens), and the oared shrew (S. remifer).
As an illustration of the food occasionally eaten by the hedgehog, Mr. Bell quotes the account related by Mr. Broderip, in the first volume of the 'Zoological Journal,' of Professor Buckland's hedgehog and the snake.
"'Having occasion to suspect that hedgehogs, occasionally at least, preyed on snakes, the Professor procured a common snake, and also a hedgehog, and put them into a box together. Whether or not the former recognised its enemy was not apparent; it did not dart from the hedgehog, but kept creeping gently round the box; the hedgehog was rolled up, and did not appear to see the snake. The Professor then laid the hedge-hog on the snake, with that part of the ball where the head and tail meet downwards, and touching it. The snake proceeded to crawl—the hedgehog started, opened slightly, and seeing what was under it, gave the snake a hard bite, and instantly rolled itself up again. It soon opened a second, and again a third time, repeating the bite; and by the third bite the back of the snake was broken. This done, the hedgehog stood by the snake's side, and passed the whole body of the snake successively through its jaws, cracking it, and breaking the bones at intervals of half an inch or more; by which operation the snake was rendered motionless. The hedgehog then placed itself at the tip of the snake's tail, and began to eat upwards as one would eat a radish, without intermission, but slowly, till half the snake was devoured. The following morning the remaining half was also completely eaten up.'"—p. 78.
Our author gives a long and very interesting history of the mole, which appears to be an especial favourite with him: the authority principally consulted is a work published in 1803, by a M. Cadet de Vaux, detailing the researches of one Henri le Court, who retired from a lucrative office under the reign of terror, and consoled himself as well as he might for the loss of wealth and state, by studying the habits of the mole; and really the French moles of the era of Robespierre, seem to have been decidedly in advance of the English moles of the era of Victoria, as far as fortification, encampment and mining are concerned, and even in speed, for the speed of a frightened French mole, on the testimony of Geoffroy, was equal to that of a horse at full trot.
Of the bear tribe the badger (Meles taxus) is the only example.
Of the Mustelidæ or weasel tribe, we have the following examples. The otter (Lutra vulgaris), the weasel (Mustela vulgaris), the stoat (M. erminea), the polecat (M. putorius), the marten (M. foina) and the pine marten (M. Martes).
