THE CANADIAN PORCUPINE 203 



Americanus " of Catesby (1740) and the " porcupine 

 from Hudson's Bay" first figured by Edwards ; it is 

 often kept in zoological collections, where its placid 

 contentment constitutes it a highly respectable, if 

 undemonstrative exhibit. Audubon had one alive 

 at Charleston for six months, and found that it 

 became quite tame and gentle, feeding from the 

 hand and sitting up squirrel fashion to devour its 

 food. It would rub its spiny sides against his legs 

 like a cat a somewhat unpleasant attention one 

 would think ! and look up as if begging for supplies ; 

 its accommodating appetite included almost any 

 kind of vegetable cabbage, turnips, potatoes in 

 the bill of fare. The animal bore teasing without 

 resentment, never raising its quills ; but on the 

 approach of a dog it at once bristled up, and with 

 lowered head and swinging tail awaited attack. On 

 one occasion a ferocious and troublesome mastiff 

 that had gained access to the garden made open- 

 mouthed for the porcupine, which instantly swelled 

 up to double its size, and dealt the dog a lateral 

 blow with its tail that filled the unfortunate mastiff's 

 mouth with quills. The dog could not close his jaws 

 and howling, retreated ; although the spines were at 

 once removed his head swelled up tremendously, 

 and it took him two months to recover from his 

 injuries. He had learnt a lesson ; and ever 

 afterwards gave both garden and porcupine a wide 

 berth. Apparently the present species cannot stand 



