[MR] About hedgehogs (the land animal)

[jbrmm266 at aol.com]

Have you ever seen a hedgehog?  They're actually rather cute.  One will generally fit in the palm of your hand. Their spines are not like a porcupine's, but are quite thick and don't come out easily. They're essentially very thick, stiff hairs.  
 
When frightened, they curl up into a little ball, protecting their soft underparts and faces. The whole effect is that of a spiky little ball. That's probably what made someone name the aquatic creature a sea-hedgehog or sea-urchin.
 
Also, when they curl up, if anything touches them they jerk, which would make most inquisistive predators back off. Though the spines are thick, their ends taper to points sharp enough to inflict pain, and probably to draw blood.
 
Some friends of ours had one as a pet some years ago, which is where I got my first-hand experience about the animal.
 
Your servant aye
Donal 
 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: ysolt at nc.rr.com
To: jbrmm266 at aol.com
Sent: Thu, 7 Dec 2006 4:15 PM
Subject: Re: [MR] Why are mischeivous street children called "urchins"?


But my Webster's Collegiate dictionary says "a pert or roguish youngster." No reference to street living. Maybe roguish could in include the street kids, but not exclusively. 
 
One of the roots is Latin horrere meaning bristle or tremble. More apt for the hedgehog or sea variety. 
 
Ysolt, who is into words 
-- Maîtresse Ysolt la Bretonne, OP 
Barony of Windmasters' Hill 
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