THE PORCUPINE. 



THE common Porcupine is about two feet long, and 

 fifteen inches broad : it has a long crest on the back of its 

 head, composed of stiff bristles, reclining backwards; the 

 body is covered with quills from ten to fourteen inches 

 long, sharp pointed, antl thickest in the middle, and these 

 are varied with black and white ; between them a few 

 hairs are interspersed. The head, belly, and legs, are 

 covered with strong bristles, terminated with dusky colored 

 hair, the whiskers are long, the ears resemble the human, 

 as the nose does that of the hare. There are four toes be- 

 fore, and five behind; and the tail, which is short, is 

 covered with bristles. 



The quills of the Porcupine, which appears to be given 

 it rather for defence than annoyance, naturally recline 

 backwards : but when irritated, it erects them, and opposes 

 an almost unapproachable wood of lances, against every 

 assailant It has been said that it can hurl or project 

 them like a dart against a foe ; but this is no more proba- 

 ble than that an enraged turkey-cock should have the 

 power to dart his feathers. 



This animal, according to some, lives on roote, fruits, 

 and vegetables, while others affirm that it hunts for ser- 

 pents and other reptiles for its subsistence ; there is some 

 reason to believe this last, or, perhaps, both the facts are 

 true. 



The Porcupine is a native of many parts of Asia, and of 

 Africa, in general; and it is even found wild in Italy, 

 though bnt scarce in Europe. It is a dull and torpid 

 creature, voracious, though capable of great abstinence ; 

 and has received the epithet of fretful from its bristling up 

 its quills on the slightest appearance of danger. There are 

 three other species known, one a native of Brazil, the 

 second of Canada, and the third of the Indian Archipela- 

 go ; in every essential feature, however, they agree with 

 the animal which we have just described. 



