HOW THE HEDGEHOG FIGHTS A SNAKE.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 9989, 19 March 1898, Page 9

HOW THE HEDGEHOG FIGHTS A SNAKE.

S£" Several years ago I was an interested spectator at a combat between a hedgehog and a huge blacksnake," said W/ D. Ingraham, of Memphis. "I came upon the scene just as the hedgehog began the attack upon the snake, which was lying stretched out on the road asleep. The hog advanced cautiously upon the reptile and seized its tail in its mouth, giving it a sharp bite. Then he quickly withdrew a few feet, and, rolling himself into a compact, spiny ball, awaited developments. The snake, upon being thus rudely awakened, turned in fury upon its antagonist, striking the hog again and again with its fangs. The wily hedgehoe, securely intrenched within its spiny armour, remained perfectly motionless all the while, allowing the snake to keep up the attack. At every stroke the jaws of the snake would become filled with the spines, until, at last, exhausted and bleeding from dozens of wounds caused by the needle-like spines of the hog, the snake gave np the battle. This was evidently what the hedgehog was waiting for, as he immediately proceeded to roll over the snake again and again until he had completely disembowelled his victim."— St. Louis Globs-Democrat.