QUADRUPEDS. 19 



ed, and the pain increased by every renewed effort, as the quills of 

 the porcupine are left sticking in the wounds, and the death of the 

 assailant is frequently the consequence of the violent irritation and 

 inflammation thus produced. 



In the remote and unsettled parts of Pennsylvania the porcupine 

 is still occasionally found, but south of this state it is almost un- 

 known. According to Catesby it never was found in that direc- 

 tion beyond Virginia, where it was quite rare. In the Hudson's 

 Bay country, Canada, and New England, as well as in some parts 

 of the western states, throughout the country lying between the 

 Eocky Mountains and the great western rivers, they are found in 

 great abundance, and are highly prized by the aboriginals, both for 

 the sake of their flesh and their quills, which are extensively em- 

 ployed as ornaments to their dresses, pipes, weapons, <fec. 



The porcupine passes a great part of its time in sleep, and ap- 

 pears to be a solitary and sluggish animal, very seldom leaving its 

 haunts, except in search of food, and then going but to a 

 short distance. The bark and buds of trees, such as the willow, 

 pine, ash, &c., constitute its food during the winter season ; in 

 summer, various wild fruits are also eaten by it. 



The porcupine is only a pest, as he may occasion the death of a 

 valuable dog. The method of destroying him is by the gun and 

 by traps. 



THE MOLE. The mole is, by most agriculturists, ranked among 

 the most troublesome pests of their farm ; while others again deny 

 that it deserves this bad character, and are even disposed to ex- 

 patiate on its utility. It is certain that the mole is of carnivorous, 

 nay, I should perhaps say, of insectivorous habits its food con- 

 sisting chiefly of worms, slugs, snails, beetles, cockchafers, grubs, 

 and other such creatures. In destroying these there can be no 

 doubt but that the mole does good service to the farmer, and de- 

 serves so far to be looked on with some degree of favor. On the 

 other hand, howfever, it is no less true that in forming its burrow, 

 the mole throws up a heap of earth, known as a molehill, which is 

 apt to interfere with the progress of the mowers. Seme say that 

 the holes also are serviceable to the soil, by throwing up the sub- 

 soil, and thus renewing the surface, but it must be it the same 

 time admitted that this burrowing loosens and often disinters the 

 roots of grafn. Whether, therefore, this animal is to be regarded 

 as a pest or not, depends on the opinion of the individual farmer 

 on whose lands he may make his appearance. 



