TJiE SEA PORCUPINE. 1^5 



Genus XII. — The Sea Forcupine 



1 HIS animal is placed among the orbs or globular fitli, 

 hj Willoughhy ; of all the inhabitants of the fea, it is tne 

 mod completely furniftied by nature with defeniive ar- 

 mour. Inftead of fcales, the whole ikin is covered with 

 ftrong Iharp fpines, which are firmly inferted into it at the 

 bafe. Thefe are all laid ilat when the animal is at refc ; 

 but when alarmed, they all around ftand upon end, fo that 

 the fi{h is inaccelliWe upon every quarter. There are 

 various kinds of thefe animals ; all, however, feem equal- 

 ly pofTelTed of the power of raifing ordepreffing their fpines 

 at pleafure, and by that means of increafing the terror of 

 their appearance in proportion to the approach of danger. 

 Together with the power of eredling their fpines, they 

 poflefs alfo that of inflating their bodies on the appearance 

 of an enemy. This operation is performed by means of 

 Jka bag within the body, wliich, by being filled with air, 

 inflates the fifii to a prodigious fize : An anim.al of this 

 tribe, that at firft view feems fmall and inofFcniive, is no 

 fooner alarmed or provoked, than it fwells to the view, 

 the whole body becoming vifibly rounder and largei 5 

 while in the mean time all its prickles ftand upright, and 

 threaten the invader on every fide f . The Americans of- 

 ten amufe themfelves with the barren pleafure of catching 

 thefe frightful creatures, by a line and hook baited with 

 Vol. III. T a piece 



•• Hiflns, Clufii Exot. Hlftrlx, Lin. Cyft* 

 t Goldrmlth'.s Na% Hift, 



