THE COMMON PORCUPINE. 40g 



darting its quills against an enemy. — Claudian is the 

 most ancient writer that has been cited for that 

 strange opinion. The following is a translation of hi^ 

 lines : 



ArmM at all points, in Nature's guardian mail, 

 See the stout Porcupine his foes assail ; 

 And, urg'd to fight, the ready weapons throw. 

 Himself at once the quiver, dart, and bow. 



The female goes with young about seven months; 

 and produces one or two at a birth, which she 

 suckles about a month. These she defends with the 

 utmost resolution against all assailants, and will ra- 

 ther be killed than suffer herself to be deprived of 

 them. — If taken early, it is said. Porcupines may 

 be easily tamed. 



In their stomachs, Bezoar -stones are frequently' 

 found. These are composed of a very fine hair, 

 which has concreted with the juices of the stomach: 

 they have one layer over another, so that they con- 

 sist of several rings of different colours. Professor 

 Thunberg says, he has seen them as large as a Hen's 

 egg, and that they are generally blunt at one end ; 

 but one that he saw was as big as a Goose's egg, was 

 of a brown colour, and perfectly globular*. 



The quills of the Porcupine are used by tiie In- 

 dians, to adorn many curious articles that they 

 make ; the neatness and elegance of which would 

 not disgrace more enlightened artists. They dye 

 them of various beautiful colours, cut them into 



* ThunWerg, iv. 'iSJ. 



