ORDER RODENTIA. 205 



the colour of these spines is the same as that of the parents, 

 which they resemble also in all parts of their organization. 



The Porcupine is one of the largest of this order, mea- 

 suring from nose to tail nearly three feet, and the tail four 

 inches. Its physiognomy is thick, and its plantigrade walk 

 is slow. Its obtuse muzzle, thick nostrils, and very small 

 eyes, give it an unpleasant appearance. It belongs to M. 

 F. Cuvier's division of Omnivorous Rodentia — that is, the 

 cheek-teeth have their roots distinct in form from their 

 crowns, or the protruded part of these teeth. Their dentary 

 system is, however, stated elsewhere, as well as the toes 

 and nails. 



With the exception of smell, most of the senses of 

 the Porcupine are obtuse, judging at least by their 

 organization. The eye is extremely small, with two lids 

 only. I think, says M. Cuvier, the pupils are round ; the 

 ears are but little developed and simple, as to the number 

 of folds ; the nostrils are open at the two extremities of a 

 sinus, in form of a cross, which traverses the muzzle un- 

 interruptedly, edged with thick lips or fleshy sort of pads, 

 invested with a peculiar integument, and some short hairs ; 

 the upper lip is cleft, and the tongue is but little extensi- 

 ble, and furnished with horny papilla, large in the middle, 

 and narrower, and similar to those of the Cat on the sides. 

 Independently of the spines, the body has two sorts of hair, 

 one long and bristly, and the other curly and woolly. The 

 mammae are six, three on each side, placed on the flanks, 

 and not on the abdomen. 



The head and the neck are furnished with very long hairs, 

 which the animal can erect at will. The muzzle, the sides 

 of the neck, the throat and anterior part of the shoulders, 

 the limbs, chest, and belly have only short hairs ; the spines 

 cover the posterior part of the shoulders, the back, sides 

 of the body, thighs, and crupper ; the largest, as before 

 stated, are on the sides, and on the anterior part of the 



Vol. III. Q 



