The Hedgehog generally resides in small thickets and hedges; lives on fruits, worms, beetles, and all kinds of insects; it conceals itself in the day, and feeds only during the night. This animal is provided by nature with a prickly armour, which defends it from the attacks of all the smaller beasts of prey. When alarmed, it immediately collects itself into the form of a ball, and presents on all sides a surface covered with sharp points, which few animals are hardy enough to engage. The more it is harassed, the closer it rolls itself. There are few dogs that will venture to attack the Hedgehog. This little animal has been so far domesticated as to learn to turn a spit by means of a small wheel in which it is placed; it likewise answered to its name. In the winter, it wraps itself up in a warm nest, made of moss, dried grass, and leaves; and sleeps out the greater part of that season. It is frequently found so completely encircled with herbage that it resembles a ball of dried leaves. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ THE BAT. This curious animal appears at first sight to be a bird, but it has nothing in common with them, but the power of raising itself into the air. The common species of this animal is about the size of a mouse, or nearly two inches and a half in length: the wings are in fact an extension of the skin all round the body; it is stretched on every side when the animal flies, by the four inner toes of the fore feet, which are very long. [Illustration: THE BAT. ] The body of the Bat is covered with a short fur, of a mouse colour, tinged with red; the eyes are very small, and the ears like those of a mouse. The Bat appears early in the summer, and begins its flight towards evening. It feeds upon gnats, moths, and almost all insects. This animal sleeps away the greater part of its time, never venturing abroad by day-light, nor yet in wet weather. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ THE GUINEA PIG. [Illustration: THE GUINEA PIG. ] This curious little animal, which is sometimes called the Restless Cavy, is a native of Brazil, but many of them are kept in a domestic state in various countries. It is of the rabbit kind, and resembles that animal very much in its appearance and habits. It is not quite so large as the rabbit, and is marked with white, black, and orange colours. It has not got any tail, which makes it look very curious. It is a very neat animal, and spends much of its time in cleaning the fur of its companions. It never seems to form any attachment, and will suffer its young to be taken away and destroyed, without making any resistance. If any of their young ones chance to get dirtied the female takes such a dislike to them, that she will never let them come near her again.