300 NATIVE PORCUPINE. 



burrows with great strength and celerity under 

 ground when disturbed ; it will even burrow 

 under a pretty strong pavement, removing the 

 stones with its claws, or under the bottom of a wall. 

 During these exertions, its body is stretched or 

 lengthened to an uncommon degree, and appears 

 very different from the short or plump aspect 

 which it bears in its undisturbed state." 



At Goulburn Plains, the natives brought me a 

 young living specimen of this animal, which they 

 had just caught upon the ranges : they called it 

 " Jannocumbine," and fed it upon ants and ants' 

 eggs. It was often taken to an ant-hill, to pro- 

 vide itself with food : from being so young, it 

 had an unsteady walk, and was covered with 

 short sharp spines, projecting above the fur. On 

 expressing a fear to the natives of not being able 

 to keep it alive, they replied that " it would not 

 now die, as it had prickles on :" meaning, I 

 suppose, that it could feed and provide for itself, 

 not requiring the fostering care of its parents. 

 On asking whether it was a male or female, they 

 examined the hind feet for the spurs, and, see- 

 ing them, declared it to be a male. It sleeps 

 during the day, running about and feeding at 

 night. Its movements are tardy, the principal 

 exertions being made when burrowing. When 

 touched upon the under surface, or uncovered 



