72 NATURAL HISTORY. 
‘Fig. 58.—Porcupine. 
in Africa, India, Persia, Tartary, and in some parts of Eu- 
rope. Itis nearly the largest of the Rodents. The spikes 
or quills with which it is covered constitute, like those of 
the Hedgehog, its means of defense. IJfit can not escape, 
it stands still, with its quills all bristling, or even runs 
back against its adversary. The fact that any quills that 
are a little loose fall off, or remain sticking to an adver- 
sary, has given rise to the mistake that the animal has the 
power of shooting them from its body. 
122. Of the Guinea-pig family, the Capybara, Fig. 59, 
is the largest of all 
the Rodents. It is 
a native of South 
America, where its 
flesh is much prized. 
It is a favorite prey 
of the Jaguar. Its 
shape, and its thin 
and straight hair, 
Fig. 59.—Capybara. 
make it look quite like a pig. 
123. The Hares differ from the other Rodents in hay- 
ing more than four front sharp teeth. There are about 
thirty species. The Hare, which in England furnishes 
