1.The hedgehog is a common animal in every part of Great Britain where he can find suitable①food and lodgings②.We can easily see how he has got his name.He is often found at the①Suitable，fitting.
②Lodgings，quarters；dwelling-places.
bottom of our hedges，and he has a nose somewhat like that of a pig or hog.In some districts①he is also called the “hedge-pig，”and in others the “urchin.”
2.The length of the full-grown hedgehog is about ten inches.His back and sides are covered with strong prickles or spines，each of which is about an inch in length.These spines are curved，and have a little bend at the end which is buried in the skin.His nose is black，and the under side of his body is covered with short yellow or white hairs.His tail is very short.
3.This animal has a splendid way of protecting himself from the dogs，foxes，or cats which may try to kill him.He rolls himself up into a ball，with his nose inside.All his sharp spines then stand straight up，ready to prick the nose of any enemy that attacks him.
4.The hedgehog‘s spiny②armour③is also very useful inkeeping him from getting hurt when he falls down from a height，as from the top of a wall.He rolls himself into a ball while he is falling，and the elastic spines break the force of the blow against the ground.
5.His legs are so short that as he runs his body nearly touches the ground.Each of his feet has five toes，and each toe is armed with a claw.With these claws the hedgehog can burrow④in theearth under the roots of trees，or in old walls；and in such places he often makes his home.
6.The hedgehog has no less than thirty-six teeth in his mouth，twenty being in the upper and sixteen in the lower jaw.With these teeth the little animal seizes and crushes the insects on which he chiefly lives.
①Districts，parts of the country.
②Spiny，sharp-pointed；prickly.
③Armour，dress for defending from blows.
④Burrow，make holes in the ground.
7.Many people keep a hedgehog in their cellars and kitchens，to get rid of cockroaches，for he soon eats up these troublesome little insects.The hedgehog also eats earth-worms，snails，and slugs，and does much good in this way.He does a little harm，too，by eating roots and seeds.Hedgehogs kept as pets soon become fond of bread and milk.
8.We do not often see the hedgehog in our morning walks，for he does his walking during the night.He sleeps all day，and at night he goes forth to hunt for insects and other food.He sleepsthrough all the cold winter，too，lying snugly coiled①up in hisnest under the roots of some old tree.
9.The hedgehog has not very keen sight，but he can smell things very well.As he runs after his prey he makes a squeaking noise.If you have a tame hedgehog，you must not be surprised when you hear his funny little voice at night just as you are going to sleep.
10.Never injure or torment a hedgehog if you meet one in the lanes or fields.He is doing good by seeking for the insects which would otherwise eat the crops and garden-plants.He also attacks and kills snakes of all kinds，and it is said that he does not fear the bite of poisonous snakes.
SUMMARY
The hedgehog，also called the “hedge-pig”and the “urchin，”is about ten inches in length.Its back is covered with strong curved spines，and its under side with short hairs.When attacked，it rolls itself into a ball.Its legs are very short，and each foot has five toes，armed with claws.It has thirty-six teeth-twenty in the upper，and sixteen in the lower jaw.The hedgehog feeds on insects.It sleeps through the day and seeks for food at night.It sleeps all through the winter.The bite of poisonous snakes is said not to hurt the hedgehog.
①Coiled，rolled up in a ball.
【中文阅读】
1．刺猬①是一种常见的动物，英国各地都有它们的踪迹，因为这里总有它们需要的食物与住所。刺猬之所以得到这样一个名字（hedgehog），其原因显而易见。它经常栖身在树篱（hedge）的底下，它的鼻子与猪（hog）②有几分相似。某些地区，它也叫hedge-pig或urchin。
2．完全发育成熟的刺猬身长大约为十英寸。它的背部与侧面都覆盖着坚硬的刺，长度为一英寸左右③。这些刺呈曲线状，埋在皮肤下面的末端则有一点弯曲。它的鼻子为黑色，身体腹部是一层黄色或白色短毛。尾巴很短。
3．这种动物能够通过一种奇妙的方式来保护自己不受狗、狐狸或猫的伤害或捕杀。它把自己蜷曲成一个圆球，鼻子埋在里面，全身锋利的尖刺直立起来，随时准备刺向试图攻击它的动物的鼻子。
4．当刺猬从高处--比如墙顶上--掉下来时，一身锋利的盔甲还能够保护它们不会摔伤。当它掉下来时就会把身子蜷曲成一个圆球，那些柔韧性很好的尖刺便能够抵消掉撞击地面而产生的冲击力。
5．刺猬的腿特别短，当它奔跑起来时，身体几乎就要碰着地面了。它每只脚上长有五个脚趾，每个脚趾都有一个利爪。凭借这些锋利的工具，刺猬能够在树根或老墙之下打洞穿行，通常也都在这些地方安家落户。
6．刺猬的嘴巴中至少有三十六颗牙齿，其中二十颗长在上颚，另外十六颗分布在下颚④。凭借这些牙齿，刺猬就可以咬住并撕碎捕食到的昆虫。
7．很多人都会在地窖或厨房中饲养一只刺猬，因为有了它的存在，蟑螂这种烦人的昆虫很快就会销声匿迹。刺猬还会捕食蚯蚓、蜗牛以及鼻涕虫，这对人类来说非常有益。不过它也会干坏事：有时候吞食植物的根部与种子。我们发现，那些宠物刺猬很快就会喜欢上面包与牛奶⑤。
8．我们在清晨散步时很少能够看到刺猬，因为它习惯在夜间活动。白天，它休养生息；晚上，它便出动捕食昆虫或寻觅其他食物。到了寒冷的冬天，它便躲在老树树根下的小窝中，蜷成一团，舒适地享受着整整一个冬天的美梦。
9．刺猬的视力非常差劲，不过嗅觉却极为灵敏。当它追捕猎物的时候就会发出吱吱的叫声。如果你饲养了一只宠物刺猬，那么当你晚上准备睡觉的时候如果听到它发出那种有趣的小动静，请不要吃惊。
10．如果你在小路上或者野地里看到一只刺猬，请不要伤害或者折磨它。因为它总是在捕食那些可能对庄稼与花草造成危害的昆虫，它对人类有益。刺猬还会攻击与捕杀各种蛇类，据说，就算是被毒蛇咬上一口，它也根本不会受到伤害⑥。
译注
①刺猬的代表种类，学名是“欧洲刺猬”，属于“哺乳纲-猬形目-猬科”。跟麻雀一样，刺猬已被列入国家林业局2000年8月1日发布的《国家保护的有益的或者有重要经济、科学研究价值的陆生野生动物名录》，禁止捕杀和私下买卖。
②hog在英式英语中一般指阉割的公猪，美式英语中则泛指猪。
③成年刺猬身长大约27-34厘米，体重可达2.5公斤。刺猬的刺是一种角质化的毛，中间是空的。
④某些种类的刺猬的牙齿可能多达44颗。
⑤有资料表明刺猬可能对乳糖过敏。
⑥有资料表明刺猬能抵抗许多种毒物，但无法抵抗杀虫剂，有时因误食被杀虫剂杀死的虫子而中毒身亡。
THE SOIL BENEATH OUR FEET