HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 485 



THE BRAZILIAN PORCUPINE. 



(Histrix Prchcusilis, Linn. 



DIFFERS so greatly from the last, that it can 

 scarcely be said to bear any relation to it, except 

 in its being covered with spines about three inches 

 in length : they are white, very sharp, and have a 

 bar of black near the points. The breast, belly, 

 and lower part of the legs, are covered with strong 

 bristly hairs of a brown colour. Its tail is long and 

 slender, and almost naked at the end : the animal 

 uses it in descending trees, by twisting it round 

 the branches. 



It inhabits Mexico and Brazil, lives in woods, 

 and feeds on fruits and small birds. It preys by 

 night, and sleeps in the day. It makes a noise like 

 the grunting of a Swine, and grows very fat. Its 

 flesh is white, and esteemed good to eat. 



