[ 405 ] 



THE PORCUPINES *. 



JL O a superficial observer, the animals belonging 

 to this tribe would seem entitled to a place with the 

 Hedgehogs; but they have no farther similitude than 

 in the spiny covering of their bodies. None of the 

 species are supposed to be carnivorous. 



The Porcupines have two front-teeth, cut 

 obliquely, both in the upper and under jaw ; and 

 eight grinders. They have four toes on the fore, 

 and five on the hinder feet ; and the body is cover- 

 ed with spines^ intermixed with hair f* 



THE COMMOISr PORCUPINE ^, 



The general length of the Common Porcupine, 

 is about two feet and a half from the head to the 

 end of the tail. The upper parts of the body arc 

 covered with hard and sharp spines, some of which 



* The Linnreau Order Glires commences with the Porcupines^, 

 In this order the anhnals are furnished ^vi(h two remarkably large and 

 long front tcotii both above and below 5 but have no canine-teetli. 

 Their feet have claws, and are formed both for bounding and run- 

 ning: 'Xliey feed on vcgetai>lcs. — The genera are the I'orcupine, 

 C'avy, Beaver, Rat, Marmot, Sc|uirrel, Dormouse, Jerboa, Hare, and 

 Ilyrax. 



t Linn. Gmtl. i. 113. 



X Synonyms. — Ilystrix Cristata. Lin?i. — Crested Porcupine. Pen- 

 nruit. — Pore-epic. Bujfon. — Sha-Js Qai. ^ool. pi. V2Q.. — Bero. 2uad~ 

 iil. 



D d ^ 



