14 OCTOBER 1922, Page 14

HOW WILD CREATURES SWIM.

[To THE EDITOR Or THE " SPECTLTOR."] SIR,—I beg to call your attention to the fact that there must he some mistake in the article headed " HOW Wild Creatures Swim " (Spectator, September 23rd). The statement in question says that the hedgehog is quite at home in the water. As a matter of fact, the hedgehog never enters the water except under extreme compulsion. If you have read your Kipling, which no doubt you have, you will be familiar with the following lines :—

" Can curl, but can't swim; Stickly, prickly, that's him."

—I am, Sir, &c., R. G. N. OAELEY. Ferox flail, Tonbridge, Kent.