462 MAMMALIA. 



plants, of which they are very fond ; all animal substances are 

 excessively repugnant to them. They are very intelligent, and 

 may be easily tamed. 



The preceding group serves as a link of connection with the 

 Porcupines, which are singular animals, endowed with a very 

 peculiar faculty, namely, that of causing their body, which is 

 covered with quills, to bristle up, and thus forming for themselves 

 a cuirass both offensive and defensive. Before proceeding further, 

 we may mention that the small family of Porcupines is divided 



Fig. 195. — Porcupine [Hystrix cristuta). 



into four genera — Porcupines Proper, the Prehensile Porcupines, 

 the Aulacodes, and the Mexican Porcupine. 



Genus of Common Porciqjine. — The species often called the 

 Crested Porcupine, inhabits Italy, Greece, Spain, Northern Africa, 

 and different parts of Asia. We shall describe it, which will 

 serve to characterise the whole genus. 



This Porcupine is one of the largest Rodents ; its average 

 total length exceeds twenty-four inches. The principal features 

 of its physiology, exclusive of its coat (Fig. 195), are very 

 powerful upper incisors, short thick toes, furnished with strong 

 claws, a large head bulging out in the frontal region, small 

 eyes, short ears, a slightly split mouth, and thick-set shape, com- 

 bined with an awkward and clumsy gait. 



