E 176 ] 



rioTy as moving a group of feathers in the fore- 

 part of birds -, but there is another pair which I 

 difcovered, and call the mufculi remigatorii pofte- 

 riores^ as moving a group of feathers behind, 

 and thefe are defcribed in the fame ledure. 



I am, with fmcere wifhes for your health, 

 and fuccefs in your undertakings, 



" Your friend, and humble fervant, 

 James Parsons. 



Of the Porcupine, 

 EsctraSîofa letter^ dated Albany^ Aug, loth^ 1742. 



The Porcupine, in this country, is a beaft 

 which makes its neft or den under the roots of 

 great trees, and fleeps much ; it feeds on the 

 bark of juniper and other trees, but chiefly on 

 juniper -, in winter it eats fnow inftead of drink- 

 ing, and laps water in fummer like a cat or dog, 

 but carefully avoids going into it. His hair and 

 quills remain all fummer Vv^ithout alteration of 

 colour i but as the weather grows warmer in 

 the fpring, the fur grows thirjner, as in all crea- 

 tures 



