MAMMALIA. 215 
their absence be a week or ten days, they are sure to find them within a mile of the 
place where they had seen them before.” Mr. Hutchins observes, that, “in walk- 
ing, the tail is drawn along the snow, making a deep track, which is often the 
means of betraying the animal ; but its haunts are most readily discovered by the 
barked trees on which it has fed, which, if done the same winter, is a sure sign that 
the porcupine is near the spot. They are usually found on the branches, and, on 
approaching them, they make a crying noise, like a child. The tree, being cut 
down, the animal is despatched by only striking it on the nose.” It is readily 
attacked by the Indian dogs, and soon killed, but not without injury to its assailants, 
for its quills, which it erects when attacked, are rough, with minute teeth directed 
backwards, that have the effect of rendering this seemingly weak and flexible 
weapon a very dangerous one. Their points, which are pretty sharp, have no 
sooner insinuated themselves into the skin of an assailant than they gradually bury 
themselves, and travel onwards until they cause death, by wounding some vital 
organ. These spines, which are detached from the porcupine by the slightest. 
touch, and probably by the will of the animal, soon fill the mouths of the dogs, 
which worry it, and unless the Indian women carefully pick them out, seldom 
fail to kill them. Wolves occasionally die from the same cause. The Canada 
porcupine makes its retreat amongst the roots of an old tree, and is said to pass 
much of its time in sleeping. When disturbed, it makes a whining or mewing 
noise. It pairs in the latter end of September, and brings forth two young ones 
in April or May. Its flesh, which tastes like flabby pork, is relished by the Indians, 
but is soon nauseated by Europeans. The bones are often deeply tinged with a 
greenish yellow colour. Like other animals, which feed on coarse vegetable sub- 
stances, it is much infested by intestinal worms. The quills or spines are dyed of 
various bright colours by the native women, and worked into shot-pouches, belts, 
shoes, and other ornamental articles of dress. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Form.—Body thick and clumsy, back much arched in a regular curve from the nose to 
the buttocks, when it droops more rapidly to the tail, which is very low. Legs very short. 
Tail short, thick, rounded at the tip, and turned a little upwards. Nose flattish above, broad 
and abrupt. There is a narrow naked margin round the nostrils, but there is no smooth 
dividing line on the upper lip. Eyes lateral, very small, and round. Lars situated behind and 
above the auditory opening, covered as thickly with fur as the neighbouring parts, and entirely. 
concealed by it. Incisors nearly as strong as those of the beaver. They curve forwards a. 
little so as to project beyond the nose, are convex anteriorly, narrower behind, and are not 
