206 CLASS MAMMALIA. 



back ; those on the tail are open tubes attached to the skin, 

 like the other spines, by a slender solid pedicle. All the 

 parts which are covered with spines are black, the spines 

 areannulated black and white, and the tubes are all white. 

 The woolly hairs are reddish, so that the general colour 

 of the animal is dingy. 



The ancients knew this animal under the name Hystrisc, 

 on account of its harsh bristly hairs, like those of the Hog. 

 This name has been translated into most modern languages, 

 and Linnaeus has added cristata, from the sort of mane on 

 the neck and back, as a specific addition to this species. 



The Canada Porcupine (Hystrix Dorsata, Lin., and Urson 

 of Buffon), is remarkable for the length of the hair on its 

 body, and the shortness of the spines. The male is of a 

 deep brown, nearly black ; the female of a lighter brown : 

 the spines are visible through the hairs only on the head, 

 crupper, and tail, without close inspection; they are an- 

 nulated, dark brown and white ; there are no spines under- 

 neath ; the eyes are round, and the ears short, and nearly 

 hidden in the fur. It measures nearly two feet six inches, 

 from nose to tail, which is about nine more. The spines 

 are strong and sharp, are said to be so formed, as to ap- 

 pear, when magnified, as if barbed at the tip with nume- 

 rous small reversed points or prickles, and are so slightly 

 attached to the skin, as to be loosened with great ease : and 

 the animal will sometimes purposely brush against the legs 

 of those who disturb it, leaving several of the spines stick- 

 ing in the skin. The specimen engraved is a female, from 

 a drawing from life, by Major Smith, in Canada. While 

 the Major was taking his sketch, it struck several of the 

 quils of its tail into the hand of a man who was simple 

 enough to attempt to caress it. The animal appeared 

 fearless, and walked round him several times, till it sud- 

 denly paid him the compliment, which produced a few drops 

 of blood, and many ejaculations. 



