442 



HTSTRICID^. 



Oue species of HifstrLv is found fossil in the Pliocene Siwaliks 

 and another in the Pleistocene cave-deposits of Kurnool. 



Fig. 145. — Skull of Hystrix leucura, X J. 



315. Hystrix leucura. The Indian Porcupine. 



Hystrix cristata, var. indica, Gray and HardwicTce, III. Ind. Zool. ii, 



p]. 14 (1830). 

 Hystrix leuciirus, SyJces, P. Z. S. 1831, p. 103 ; Elliot, Mad. Jour. L. 



\S. X, p. 218 ; Ke.laart, Prod. p. 70 ; Adams, P. Z. S. 1858, p. 520 ; 



Blyth, Cat. p. 128 : Jerdon, Mam. p. 218. 

 Hystrix YmsntivosiTis,, Brandt, St. Petersb. Acad. Mem. i, 1835, p. 375; 



Waterhouse, Mammalia, ii, p. 454; Blyth, J. A. S. B. xxi, p. 351, 

 Hystrix zeylonensis, B/yth, J. A. S. B. xx, p. 171 (1851). 

 Hystrix malabarica, Sclater, P. Z. S. 18(35, p. 353, pi. xvi ; 1871, 



pp. 233, 234. 



Sdyi, Sdhi, Sdyal, Sarsel, II. &e. ; Sdjru, 13. ; Dumsi, Chotia-dumsi, 

 Nepal ; Saori, Chaodi, Guzrati ; Salendra, Mabr. of the Ghats ; Sinkor, 

 Sindlii ; Sikhan, Baluch. ; Shkunr, Pushtu ; Hoiffa, Goud.; Jekra, Korku; 

 Jiki, Ho-Kol ; Yed, Mul-handi, Can. ; Yeddu pandi, Tel. ; Maldnpani, 

 Tarn. Mai. ; Hitava, Cingalese. 



A crest of very long coarse bristles, from 6 or 8 inches to 

 occasionally over a foot; in length, commencing on the forehead 

 and extending along the spine to the middle of the back. Muzzle 

 densely clad with hair ; fore part of body, limbs, and abdomen 

 covered with short spines mingled beneatli with hair, the loins and 

 base of tail with long spines, those situated anteriorly long and 

 flexible, the others on the lower back and rum]) stout and rigid, so 

 that tlie long flexible spines conceal the stouter quills except when 

 all are erected. Skull moderately convex above, the nasals being 

 nearly twice the length of the f rentals, and having their lateral 

 margins subparallel and tlieir hinder border transverse ; posterior 



