HEDGE-HOG. Hericius, Herinaceus, Ericius, or Chærogryllus. The Hedge-hog is a little four-footed creature, covered all over with sharp prickles. As soon as it sees itself to be perceived by any man, or dog, it rolls itself up, and forms, as it were, a round ball stuck with sharp points; so that no one can touch it, without hurting himself. It lives in a hole under ground, and feeds upon wild fruits. In Leviticus1 the Hedge-hog is declared to be unclean, because it does not chew the cud . The Hebrew Schaphan, which the Septuagint and Vulgate render Chærogryllus, an Hedge-hog, signifies, according to some, a Coney; and, as others say, an Hare; and, according to Bochart, a certain large Rat, common in Arabia, and good to eat, called Aliarbuho.
We find likewise the Hebrew word Schaphan in the Psalms2; and the Septuagint translate it Lagoos, which may signify an Hare, a Coney, or even an Hedge-hog. Some old Latin Psalters read, Petra refugium leporibus, and others, Herinaciis, as our Copies have it at this day3. St. Jerom4 takes it to be a sort of Rat to be met with in Palestine, about the size of an Hedge-hog, and in the shape almost of a Bear, which lives in holes and hollow places of the rocks.
Isa. xiv. 23. LXX. Ἐχῖνος.Besides the Land Hedge-hog, we have been speaking of, there is a Sea Hedge-hog, which has abundance of scales, all covered with points, which it makes use of instead of feet; for its way of walking is rolling itself along. It is in the shape of an oven, and is very thick before and behind. Some are black, red, and inclining to a purple colour; and there are others, the scales, points, and eggs whereof, are white. There is no fish better armed than this. Isaiah speaking of the destruction of Babylon, says, that God would reduce it to be a dwelling for the Hedge-hog, and that it should be no more any thing besides a great marsh of muddy waters. The Hebrew is Kippod, קפדwhich the Septuagint translate Ἐχῖνος, and, St. Jerom, Erinacius. Bochart shews, that several by the Hebrew word understand some sea-fowl, or other water-fowl, as the bittern, heron, vultur, duck, &c. others a beaver, otter, or castor. There is mention made of the same animal in Isaiah xxxiv. 11. and Zeph. ii. 14. but this does not help us better to explain the signification of it.
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