PORCUPINES. 



163 



name from the French porc-epvn (spiny-pig), probably in allusion to their grunting 

 pig-like cries. They are common to both the Old anil New Worlds; although the 

 representatives of the group found in the two hemispheres constitute two distinct 

 subfamilies. 



Canadian The common Canadian porcupine (Erethizon dorsat us) belongs to 



Porcupine. a g rou p confined to America, all the members of which are arboreal 

 in their habits, while most of them have prehensile tails. They are all characterised 

 by the absence of a cleft in the upper lip, by the naked soles of the feet heing 

 covered by a number of tubercles, by the want of the first toe in the fore-foot, and 

 the presence of only three teats in the female. Their molar teeth have complete 

 roots; ami the collar-bones are fully developed E. dorsatvts differs from its allies 

 in having a short and nonprehensile tail; and also in the presence of live toes in the 

 hind-feet. It is a heavy and clumsily-built animal, with long brown hair, almost or 

 completely concealing 

 the short spines, which 

 are white with brown- 

 ish tips. The length of 

 the creature is about 2 

 feet, and its weight 

 from 15 to 20 lbs. The 

 limbs, neck, ears, and 

 muzzle are short ; the 

 ears being almost con- 

 cealed by the long bristly 



hair at the sides of the head. The claws are very long and powerful : and the tail 

 massive and almost four-sided in shape. The stout spines vary in length from less 

 than one inch to more than four inches in different parts of the body: they cling 

 loosely to the skin, and are thus easily detached, and as they are slightly barbed at 

 the points they make their way completely through the flesh of any animal in which 

 they may become fixed. As in other members of the family, the quills, when the 

 animal is in repose, lie smoothly and are directed backwards; but under the influ- 

 ence of excitement they can be erected by the aid of a sheet of muscle underlying 

 the skin. The Canadian porcupine extends in the country from which it takes its 

 name as far northwards as the limit of trees, while in the United States it extends 

 on the eastern side as far south as Virginia, and on the western coast from Alaska 

 to Arizona and New Mexico. Despite its heavy form and nonprehensile tail, it 

 is an adept at climbing, and spends the greater part of its time among the 

 branches of trees. Dr. Hart Merriam states that although largely nocturnal, 

 these animals may at times be seen abroad during daylight. Their lair is 

 usually made among the clefts of rocks, but sometimes in a hollow tree or heap 

 of bushes. Even in the cold climate of the Adirondacks, this porcupine, although 

 less active in winter, never hibernates. Dr. Merriam writes that when one of 

 these animals " has selected and settled himself in a tree to his liking, he may not 

 leave it, day or night, until he has denuded it of the whole of its foliage. I have 

 seen many hemlocks thus completely stripped, not a green twig remaining, even 

 on the smallest bough. It seems incredible that so large and clumsy an animal 



SKELETON OF PORCITIXE. 



