264 PORCUPINE, COENDOU. FAMILY CAVIDJE. 



between two and three feet in length, and is nearly the largest 

 of the Rodentia. The spines, especially those covering the 

 upper part of its body, are large and long ; some of them 

 measuring more than a foot from end to end, and having annular 

 marks of black and white alternating. Its head and neck have 

 a crest of long bristles ; and its short tail is furnished with quills 

 of a very singular structure, being open thin-sided tubes, about 

 two inches long, and supported upon slender flexible stalks, 

 which make a considerable sound when they are caused to strike 

 against each other by the shaking of this appendage. When 

 the Porcupine is irritated, it erects its spines in the manner of 

 the Hedgehog, and these spines are often easily detached ; but it 

 is quite a mistake to suppose that it can lance them at its 

 enemies. It is a nocturnal and solitary animal, remaining 

 concealed during the ' day at the bottom of its burrow, and 

 becoming torpid during the winter. Several other species, 

 most of them possessing shorter spines and a longer tail, are 

 found in different parts of the world ; and there is one, the 

 Coendou, that inhabits Brazil, which has a long prehensile tail, 

 like that of the Sapajous, and has the spines hidden, during part 

 of the year, by long grayish-brown fur. This animal lives 

 among trees, instead of burrowing. 



233. The family CAVID^E, or Guinea-Pig tribe contains the 



FlG. 134. COBAYA OR GUINEA-PIG. 



largest species of this order ; though even these would be con- 

 sidered small, when compared with other quadrupeds. They are 



