THE PORCUPINES 



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Merriam, they are very large for the size of the animal, being actually larger, and 

 proportionately more than thirty times the size of the cubs of the black bear. This 

 porcupine uses its tail as a weapon of offense, inflicting severe blows by its lateral 

 action. Few animals care to attack the porcupine, although, as previously men- 

 tioned, both the puma and fisher marten make these animals their prey, and are 

 frequently found with their flesh bristling with quills. 



The tree porcupines are distinguished from the Canadian porcupine 

 by their long prehensile tails, and the presence of only four toes on 

 the hind-feet. They are also of lighter build; and their spines are short, 

 closely set, and parti-colored, sometimes almost concealed by long hair. In the 

 absence of the first toe, the inner side of each hind-foot is furnished with a large 

 fleshy lobe which can be bent inward to a certain degree, and forms an efficient aid 



Tree Porcu- 

 pines 



BRAZILIAN TREE PORCUPINE. 

 (One-fifth natural size. ) 



in climbing; more especially as the whole foot is set so obliquely on the leg that the 

 rough sole is directed somewhat outwardly. The tail is thick at the base, but 

 slender at the end, where its upper surface is devoid of hair. It is this upper sur- 

 face which is applied to the branch, and the tail is, therefore, coiled in the reverse 

 direction to that of the spider-monkeys, as shown in our illustration. The muzzle 

 is thick, and obliquely truncated, so that the upper lip somewhat overhangs the 

 lower portion, with large nostrils, the whole being clothed with fine velvety hair. 

 Both the ears and eyes are small. The quills have numerous exceedingly-minute 

 spines at their extremities, with their points directed backward, so as to act as barbs. 

 The Brazilian tree porcupine (S. prehensilis), which is the species commonly 

 seen in menageries, is found in Brazil, Guiana, and part of Bolivia, and has the spines 



