THE PORCUriNK. 



147 



THE PORCUPINE. 



body being co veered with long, coarse brown hair, which ahnost 

 conceals the deeply-set, short, pointed quills, except those on 

 the head, hind-quarters, and tail. The spines are about three 

 inches long. When the animal is brought to bay, it sets them 

 u|) in a fan-like shape, and 

 presents a formidable row of 

 points turned towards its op- 

 ponent. When attacked, it 

 defends itself with its thick, 

 muscular tail ; and wherever 

 it strikes, it leaves a number of 

 its easily-detached quills, with 

 barbed points, sticking fii-mly 

 in its opponent's body. These 

 spines are of a dull white colour, the points being dark. 

 Awkward as the porcupine looks, it can gallop along at con- 

 siderable speed ; and wlien surprised, generally escapes to its 

 rocky den — or if it gains a tree, scrambles up the tiunk at a 

 rapid rate. A broad trail leads to the porcupine's den, by 

 which it is easily discovered, as also by the ordure outside the 

 entrance. A number of these paths lead from the den to its 

 feeding-ground : in the autumn to a beech grove, on the mast 

 or nuts of which it revels ; and in the winter- time, to some 

 tall hemlock or spruce trees. Tlie Indian hunter also discovers 

 it by the marks of its claws on the bark ; and should he be 

 unfortunate in his search for larger game, he seldom fails to 

 obtain a roast of porcupine. The creature is hunted by the 

 Indians with little dogs, which seem to take great delight in 

 the sport, and, in spite of the formidable weapons of theii' 

 opponents, will rush in an<l draw them out of their dens 

 witliout injury to themselves. Even the settlers' dogs exhibit 



