268 THE PORCUPINE, 



the Porcupines that have been brought into Europe, not one 

 was ever seen to launch their quills ; and yet the irritations 

 they received were sufficient to have provoked their utmost 

 indignation. Of all the Porcupines that Dr. Shaw observed 

 in Africa, and he saw numbers, not one ever attempted to 

 dart its quills ; their usual manner of defence being, to lie on 

 one side, and when the enemy approaches very near, by sud- 

 denly rising, to wound him with the points on the other. 



It is probable, therefore, that the Porcupine is seldom the 

 aggressor ; and when attacked by the bolder animals, it only 

 directs its quills so as to keep always pointing towards the 

 enemy. These are an ample protection ; and, as we are 

 assured by Kolben, at such times, even the lion himself will 

 not venture to make an attack. From such, therefore, the 

 Porcupine can defend itself ; and chiefly hunts for serpents, 

 and all other reptiles, for subsistence. Travellers universally 

 assure us, that between the serpent and the Porcupine there 

 exists an irreconcilable enmity, and that they never meet 

 without a mortal engagement. The Porcupine, on these oc- 

 casions, is said to roll itself upon the serpent, and thus destroy 

 and devour it. This may be true ; while, what we are in- 

 formed by M. Sarrasin, of the Porcupine of Canada chiefly 

 subsisting on vegetables, may be equally so. Those which 

 are brought to this country to be shown, are usually fed on 

 bread, milk, and fruits ; but they will not refuse meat when 

 it is offered them ; and it is probable, they prefer it in a wild 

 state, when it is to be had. The Porcupine is also known to 

 be extremely hurtful to gardens ; and, where it enters, does 

 incredible damage. 



The American Indians, who hunt this animal, assure us, 

 that the Porcupine lives from twelve to fifteen years. During 

 the time of coupling, which is in the month of September, 

 males, become very fierce and dangerous, and often are seen 

 to destroy each other with their teeth. The female goes with 

 young seven months, and brings forth but one at a time this 

 she suckles but about a month, and accustoms it betimes to 

 live, like itself, upon vegetables and the bark of trees ; she is 



