THE PORCUPINE. 283 



General description. 



THE PORCUPINE. 



THIS animal generally measures about two 

 feet and a half from the head to the end of the 

 tail. The upper parts of the body are covered 

 with hard and sharp spines, some of which are 

 from nine to fifteen inches in length. These 

 are variegated with alternate black and white 

 rings ; and as some of them are very slightly at- 

 tached to the skin, they easily fall orl". They 

 are formed of complete quills, wanting only the 

 vane to be real feathers. The animal has the 

 power of elevatib b or depressing them at will ; 

 and when he walks, they make a rattling noise, 

 by striking against each other. The head, belly, 

 and legs, are covered with strong dusky bristles, 

 intermixed with softer hairs: on the top of the 

 head, these are very long; and curved back- 

 wards, in the manner of a ruff or crest. 



The porcupine generally inhabits subterrane- 

 ous retreats ; which it forms into several compart- 

 ments; leaving two holes, one for an entrance, 

 and the other, in case of necessity, to escape by. 

 It sleeps during the day time, and at the approach 

 of night makes its excursions in quest of fruits, 

 roots, and other vegetable food. Although able 

 to support hunger for a great length of time, and 

 apparently without inconvenience, it always eats 

 with a voracious appetite. In the vicinity of the 

 Gape of Good Hope, these creatures do much 

 2 N 2 



