2. (Zo["o]l.) The Canadian porcupine.[U.S]
3. (Bot.) A species of {Medicago} ({M. intertexta}), the pods
of which are armed with short spines; -- popularly so
called. --Loudon.
4. A form of dredging machine. --Knight.
{Hedgehog caterpillar} (Zo["o]l.), the hairy larv[ae] of
several species of bombycid moths, as of the Isabella
moth. It curls up like a hedgehog when disturbed. See
{Woolly bear}, and {Isabella moth}.
{Hedgehog fish} (Zo["o]l.), any spinose plectognath fish,
esp. of the genus {Diodon}; the porcupine fish.
{Hedgehog grass} (Bot.), a grass with spiny involucres,
growing on sandy shores; burgrass ({Cenchrus
tribuloides}).
{Hedgehog rat} (Zo["o]l.), one of several West Indian
rodents, allied to the porcupines, but with ratlike tails,
and few quills, or only stiff bristles. The hedgehog rats
belong to {Capromys}, {Plagiodon}, and allied genera.
{Hedgehog shell} (Zo["o]l.), any spinose, marine, univalve
shell of the genus {Murex}.
{Hedgehog thistle} (Bot.), a plant of the Cactus family,
globular in form, and covered with spines
({Echinocactus}).