J 90 North American Porcupine. 



Observations on the manners of the Hystrix dorsata, or 

 Porcupine of North America. By Frederick S. Cozzens. 



Read Nov. 22d. 1824. 



This animal, which was first made known to naturalists by 

 Edwards as a distinct species, has been but imperfectly de- 

 scribed, and its singular manners and history but slightly 

 noticed. Having obtained one in my excursion last summer, 

 I have conceived I might possibly add some few facts to natu- 

 ral history by publishing the observations I have made on it. 



On the first view of this animal, the analogy between it and 

 the sloths of South America is clearly and satisfactorily exhi- 

 bited ; and I am somewhat surprised that this fact has not be- 

 fore been noticed by authors. The slowness of its motions, 

 and its remarkably long claws, are not the only peculiarities 

 which prove its affinity to those animals. Even in its spiny 

 covering, some likeness may be traced to the thick bushy hair 

 of the Ai, and it seems to hold a place between the genera 

 Erinaceus and Bradypus. 



The porcupine, when full grown, weighs between twenty 

 and thirty pounds, and is about two feet in length including 

 the tail, which is nearly one-third the length of the body. 

 The general outline somewhat resembles that of the beaver, 

 with the exception of the snout, which is abruptly truncated, 

 broad, and with the upper lip divided. The back part of the 

 head and neck are thickly beset with a cluster of small spines. 

 The legs are uncommonly short, the joints not more than one 

 inch and a half in length, bending inwards, and covered down 

 to the claws with long bushy hair. On the fore feet he has 

 four, and on the hind feet five, toes ; which are furnished with 

 remarkable long and curved claws, well adapted for climbing 

 the highest trees. In walking, the tibia, as well as the tarsus, 

 rest upon the ground, after the manner of the tortoise, which 

 gives him an uncouth gait, or awkward hobble. His cover- 



