204 CLASS MAMMALIA. 



these more effectual, it has, like the Hedgehog, the power 

 of rolling itself into a ball, and thereby presenting an unin- 

 terrupted surface of spears. It has therefore, in fact, few 

 enemies to fear — but man. As their flesh is esteemed good, 

 they are frequently hunted, or rather sought for in their 

 retreats. It is not, therefore, apparent why they should be 

 endowed with so great a degree of timidity and distrust. 



"Although the Porcupine has not the power, so long at- 

 tributed to it, of darting its quills at its enemies, it is 

 nevertheless not always merely passive when attacked. If 

 closely pressed, it will throw itself with impetuosity on 

 its opponent, and always sideways ; and it is on the sides 

 of the body that the spines are longest and strongest. 

 It seems most anxious, when attacked, to protect its 

 head, and yet no animal perhaps can bite harder, for the 

 largest carnivora cannot inflict deeper or more dangerous 

 wounds with their canines, than the Porcupine can with 

 his incisors. The thickest and hardest boards soon yield 

 to the gnawing operation of these teeth ; and they have 

 hardness enough to act on iron wire, hence it becomes 

 necessary to line the cage with sheet-iron wherein 

 they are confined. Its natural inclination for a solitary 

 existence can only be partially overcome. It will habituate 

 itself in time to occasional action, but will never become 

 familiar, or any thing like affectionate. 



Reasoning and presumption long supplied the place of 

 observation, in regard to the modus copulandi of these ani- 

 mals. Aristotle's statement could not have resulted from 

 observation, as is now sufficiently ascertained. The spines 

 are erected by means of muscular action ; without this, 

 therefore, they lie level with the skin, and the presumed 

 difficulty alluded to, as in the case of the Hedgehog, is com- 

 pletely removed. The period of gestation is sixty-six days, 

 and the young are born with the eyes open, and covered 

 with spines, which are then about seven lines in length ; 



