342 NATURALISTS CABINET. 



Resemblance to the beaver. 



Catesby, Edwards, and Ellis have all spoken 

 of this quadruped; and it is highly probable that 

 the figure and description which Seba has given, 

 under the name of the remarkable porcupine of 

 the East Indies, might be the urson ; that author 

 having repeatedly spoken of American animals 

 as belonging to India. 



" The urson," says Buflbn, might be called the 

 bristly beaver; he being of the same country, 

 the same size, and the same form of body. Be- 

 sides his prickles, which are short, and almost 

 covered with hair, like the beaver, he has a dou- 

 ble coat, the first consisting of long and soft 

 hairs, and the second of a down, which is still 

 more soft and smooth. In the young animals 

 the prickles are proportionably larger, and the 

 hair shorter than in adults." 



Ursons are very cleanly animals, and seem to 

 avoid moist places, under the apprehension of 

 wetting themselves. They form their habitati- 

 ons under the roots of large hollow trees, and 

 subsist principally upon the bark of juniper 

 bushes. In winter the snow serves them for 

 drink ; but in summer, they lap water, like a dog. 

 The American Indians regale upon their flesh, 

 clothe themselves with the fur, and use the bris- 

 tles instead of pins and needles. 



