464 



MAMMALIA. 



Malacca Porcupine, or Brush-tailed Porcupine (Fig. 196). It 

 is smaller than the common species, and is found in Sumatra, 

 Java, and Malacca. 



America also possesses some species of Porcupines. The most 

 remarkable is the Urson, or Canada Porcupine (Fig. 197), which 

 is found north of the 46th degree of latitude. It is as large as the 

 European species, and it inhabits pine forests, feeding principally 

 on the bark of trees, and its den is hollowed out underneath their 

 roots. When attacked, it draws its legs beneath its body, sets 

 up its quills, and lashes around with its tail. 



The Indians hunt it for the sake of its flesh, which is good, 



A,^ 





Fig. 196. — Brush-tuiled Porcupine {Aihirura africana), 



and also for its skin, from which they make caps, after having 

 plucked out the quills, which are used by them for pins. 



Genus of Prehensile-tailed Porcupines. — Prehensile Porcupines 

 are characterised by a partly bare, prehensile tail, and hooked, 

 and sharply-pointed claws, which enable them to climb trees. 

 Their quills are not long, and are frequently hidden under their 

 hair. They have a depressed forehead, and not a prominent one, 

 like that of common Porcupines. They are principally met with 

 in South America. 



The Prehensile Porcupine has been observed in Paraguay by 

 the Spanish naturalist Azara. The length of its body is about a 



