THE PORCUPINE 



If conditions are half-favorable, the imprints 

 of the toe-nails four on the forefeet and five on 

 the hind feet are always visible. 



If the snow is a few inches deep, the tracks 

 stand in a trough-shaped trail because the ani- 

 mal's body almost touches the ground. The toes 

 point inward, and almost touch the center line. 

 In the snowless woods numerous small dead trees 

 attract the attention of even those not interested 

 in forestry. If these trees are examined they will 

 reveal the mark of the porcupine, easily recog- 

 nized by the partly eaten bark. 



Along the streams of the Bad Lands the limbs 

 of cottonwood trees are sometimes depleted of 

 every vestige of bark, which loss ultimately 

 causes the death of the trees. Where forests are 

 cared for on an economical basis, the porcupine 

 is certainly a proper subject for extermination. 



Their meat is excellent if fried quickly in hot 

 lard; roasted, or cooked slowly, it emits an odor 

 repellent even to a hungry man. 



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