SPECKLED TROUT 



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 in- 

 veterate 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 in- 

 deed a mouthful that makes a meal off the porcu- 

 pine. 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 opportunity to throw it over on its back, 

 when he fastens on its quilless underbody. Aaron 

 was puzzled to know how long-parted friends could 

 embrace, when it was suggested that the quills could 

 be depressed 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 



207 



