RODENTIA. 135 



and depression. When clashed violently together, one or two 

 more loose than the rest, may be disengaged and fall ; but the 

 story that they dart out their spines like javelins, is pure fable ; 

 however, by pushing backwards or sidevvise, quickly and with 

 violence, the Porcupine can both defend itself, and inflict wounds 

 on its enemies. 



The head of this animal is thick ; his eyes small ; his face 

 very round or convex ; and his muzzle blunt. His cutting teeth 

 are very large and strong, so that he can gnaw through the thick- 

 est and hardest boards. He is unsocial in his habits; when 

 taken captive, is " neither familiar nor intelligent ; in his native 

 state, digs burrows in dry and barren situations, as far removed 

 as possible from the haunts of men. These burrows have several 

 entrances leading to a chamber in which it passes the day in 

 silence and in solitude." As the light recedes, it cautiously 

 ventures out in search of food, such as birds, roots, fruit and other 

 vegetables. In winter, it goes out only occasionally for food. 



The CREATOR has given to the Porcupine special endowments 

 for his course of life. The animal burrows in hard and stony 

 soil, and for that purpose is provided with digging implements; 

 his limbs are short, strong and thick ; and his toes, four before 

 and five behind, on each foot, have thick and powerful nails or 

 claws ; the tongue is roughened with scaly prickles, directed 

 backwards. The length of the Porcupine is about two feet ; his 

 general color a grizzled black, the spines being elegantly ringed 

 with alternate black and white, and the limbs entirely black. 

 This family of animals was originally introduced from Africa 

 into Europe and America. The description above given is that 

 of the COMMON PORCUPINE, viz., Hystrix cristata, (Lat. crested.) 

 The Hystrix dorsata, (Lat. ridged,) (or Hystrix Hudsonius, of De- 

 Kay,) otherwise called the Canada and North American Porcu- 

 pine, ranges as far north as 67o N. L., and in New York, Penn- 

 sylvania, the northern parts of Virginia and Kentucky, and west 

 as far as the Rocky Mountains. It is said to be increasing in the 

 western parts of New York ; in this species, which is from two 

 to two and a half feet long, the spines are almost concealed by 

 the hair with which they are intermingled; the fur of a soft and 

 dusky brown color, is remarkable for its length and fullness; that 

 of the Canadian animal is almost black. The incisors are of a 

 deep orange color. This Porcupine is inoffensive, and of gentle 

 manners ; in size well comparing with that of a fox ; it feeds on 

 the leaves and bark of hemlock, bass-wood and ash trees ; is fond 

 of fruit and maize; and when confined, eats almost every kind 

 of vegetable. The spines or quills vary in length from one to 



