THE COMMON PORCUPINE. 407 



they place a loaded gun in such a manner that the 

 muzzle will be near the animal's breast when he is 

 devouring a carrot or turnip, that is connected by a 

 string with the trigger *. — The teeth are very sharp 

 and strong. M. Bosnian, when on the coast of 

 Guinea, put a Porcupine into a strong tub, in order to 

 secure him ; but, in the course of one night, he ate his 

 way through the staves, even in a place where they 

 were considerably bent outwards, and escaped -f-. 



In its manners, the Common Porcupine is very 

 harmless and inoffensive, never itself becoming the 

 aggressor ; and, when pursued, it climbs the first tree 

 it can reach, where it remains till the patience of 

 its adversary is exhausted. If, however, it is roused 

 to self-defence, even the Lion dares not venture to 

 attack it X- 



The late Sir Ashton Lever had a live Porcupine ; 

 which he frequently turned out on the grass behind 

 his house, to play with a tame Hunting Leopard, and 

 a large Newfoundlanfl Dog. As soon as they were let 

 loose, the Leopard and Dog begin to pursue the Por- 

 cupine, who always at first endeavoured to escape by 

 flight: but, on finding tliat ineffectual, he vvould 

 thrust his head into some corner, making a snort- 

 ing noise, and erecting his spines; with which his 

 pursuers pricked their noses, till they quarrelled 

 between themselves, and thus gave him an oppor- 

 tunity to escape §. 



It has been asserted by many credulous travellers, 



* Kolben ii. 1 ig. 

 Bc>?inan, Q.")7. X Church.— Kolben. § Church. 



Dd4 



