1338 



THE RODENTS 



projecting freely above the fur. In length the head and body measure rrom six- 

 teen to eighteen inches; the tail being about an inch shorter. These animals, like 



the other species of the genus, are usually solitary, passing the greater 

 _ ' part of the day in slumber, and feeding in the morning and evening. 



Their food consists of the leaves, young shoots, and bark of the trees 

 on which they dwell. In climbing it is said that they ascend the trunks of trees by 

 the feet alone, the tail being employed only when among the smaller branches, 

 which these animals but seldom leave. When sleeping, they generally rest in the 

 fork of a branch. Comparatively little is known of their habits in a wild state; but 

 in captivity they are harmless, stupid creatures. Their flesh is eaten by the natives 

 of Brazil, by whom they are known by the name of cuandu. 



MEXICAN TREE PORCUPINE. 



(One-sixth natural size.) 



-_ . _ The Mexican tree porcupine (Synetheres novcehispaniez} , belongs to 



Porcupine a g rou P which has the hair so long as almost to conceal the spines. 



It is distinguished by the nearly uniform black color of the fur, and 



also by the presence of numerous spiny bristles mingled with the hair of the lower 



parts of the body. These bristles arise in small clusters from tubercles, and being 



white for the greater part of their length form star-like spots among the dark fur. 



These bristles and the spines on the back are black at the tips. 



This species inhabits the forests on the eastern coasts of Mexico. Nothing 

 special is recorded of its habits; but it may be mentioned that from observations 

 made on captive individuals of other species, it is probable that none of the tree 

 porcupines ever drink. It is stated that in those long-haired species in which the 



