224 N A R R A T I V E O F A N 



CHAP, array, and makes a formidable appearance before its ad- 

 ^ _ ' _^ verfary ; at other times thefe prickles lie flat on its back, 

 fomething like the briftles of a hog. The head of the 

 porcupine is of a roundilh make, and joined to the body 

 by a remarkably thick fhort neck ; its eyes are large, 

 bright, and placed under the ears, which are very fmall 

 and round ; it never bites. On each lide of its nofe it has 

 long whifkers, very like the otter or the cat ; its feet are 

 fhaped much like thofe of a monkey, which affift it in 

 climbing trees to feek for its food, in which its long 

 tapering tail is alfo very ferviceable, which, like a fifth 

 limb, it twifts about the branches, and which near the 

 extremity is covered over with hair like the face, the 

 under part near the tip only excepted, which is per- 

 fe6tly callous and black, as are alfo the infide of all its 

 feet. The hedge-hog of this country is, I think, little 

 different from that of the old continent, being about 

 eight or ten inches in length, covered over with pale 

 yellow prickles, but with hair on the face and under the 

 belly, which is rather fofter and longer than in the hedge- 

 hog of Europe. It has dark brown fpots like eye-brows 

 over its eyes, and no ears but auditory holes, and five 

 toes with bended claws on each foot; its tail is very fhort, 

 and its defence confifts in forming itfelf into a round ball 

 in the manner of the armadillo. Its food confifts of fruit, 

 roots, vegetables, infeds, &:c. and its flefli is not dif- 

 efteemed by the Indians or natives of the country. 

 Colonel Fourgeoud not having yet arrived, I amufed 



myfelf 



