COMMON OR CRESTED PORCUPINE. 65 



country of Europe, and even in the southern districts of 

 Siberia. 



The upper parts of the Hedgehog are covered with 

 spines, interspersed with bristles ; and the under parts 

 with hair. This animal is about ten inches in length, 

 and the tail is an inch long. The ears are upright and 

 rounded ; and the nostrils bordered on each side with a 

 loose flap of skin. The hair is of a yellowish ash-colour, 

 mixed with white. The spines are whitish at each end, 

 and have each a black bar in the middle. 



ORDER IV. GLIRES. 



23. PORCUPINE TRIBE. 



These are animals only of warm climates. They reside 

 in burrows or dens, ijnder the surface of the ground ; and 

 feed on roots, fruit, and vegetables. Their bodies are 

 covered with spines and hair." 



Common or Crested Porcupine. The upper parts of 

 the Porcupine are clad with numerous quills, strong, 

 sharp at each end, and from nine to fifteen inches in 

 length. There is a vulgar notion, that the animal is able 

 to dart these at its enemies, but this is founded entirely 

 in error. Whenever the Porcupine is threatened with 

 danger, it reclines on one side, and presents on the 

 other a most formidable apparatus. We are told that, 

 in this position, he is secure from the attacks even of 

 the lion. The wounds inflicted by these quills are said 

 to be painful, and difficult to heal. In a wild state, 

 Porcupines are assorted, by some writers, to feed on 

 reptiles and serpents ; and by others, to subsist on roots, 



