128 SPECKLED TROUT. 



pouchy. The nose is blunter than that of the wood- 

 chuck, the limbs stronger, and the tail broader and 

 heavier. Indeed, the latter appendage is quite club- 

 like, and the animal can, no doubt, deal a smart 

 blow with it. An old hunter with whom I talked 

 thought it aided them in climbing. They are invet- 

 erate gnawers, and spend much of their time in trees 

 gnawing the bark. In winter one will take up its 

 abode in a hemlock, and continue there till the tree 

 is quite denuded. The carcass emitted a peculiar 

 offensive odor, and, though very fat, was not in the 

 least inviting as game. If it is part of the economy 

 of nature for one animal to prey upon some other 

 beneath it, then the poor devil has indeed a mouth- 

 ful that makes a meal off the porcupine. Panthers 

 and lynxes have essayed it, but have invariably left 

 off at the first course, and have afterwards been 

 found dead or nearly so, with their heads puffed up 

 like a pincushion, and the quills protruding on all 

 sides. A dog that understands the business will 

 manoeuvre round the porcupine till he gets an op 

 portunity to throw it over on its back, when he fast- 

 ens on its quilless underbody. Aaron was puzzled 

 to know how long-parted friends could embrace, 

 when it was suggested that the quills could be de- 

 pressed or elevated at pleasure. 



The next morning boded rain ; but we had become 

 thoroughly sated with the delights of our present 

 quarters, outside and in, and packed up our traps to 

 leave. Before we had reached the clearing, three 



