'I' HI-; AMKKICAN I'( )K(;i 1*1 N K. 



ERETHIZON DOKSATUM (Linnaeus). 



[Hystrix] dorsata Linn., Syst. Nat., Ed. 10, Vol. I, p. 57, 1758. 



Erclhizon dorsatus Evormann and Butler, Proc. Ind. Acad. Sci. 

 for 1893, p. 125. 



Diagnostic characiers. — Those of the family and genus. 



Descnption. — Color dark brown or blackish; quills tipped with 

 yellowish white, two to four inches long and [)artly concealed by 

 the dark colored hair. The ([uills are most numerous and longest 

 on the brick and are shoi't on the tail, head and lim})s, and lacking 

 on the undcrparts. They usually lie fairly close to the skin and, 

 with the hairs, point backward, but can be erected l)y nuiscular 

 contraction. 



Measurements. — The following measurements are given by Mil- 

 ler, none being available for Indiana specimens : Total length, 700 

 mm. (28 in.) ; tail, 200 mni. (8 in.) ; hind foot, 90 mm. (31/2 in.). 



Sktdl and teeth. — The skull bears a slight superficial resemblance 

 to that of the woodchuck (Arctomys) from which it differs in many 

 details, however, and the animals are not closely related. The por- 

 cupine skull lacks the post-orbital process possessed by the w^ood- 

 chuck. In the latter animal the rostrum is flat clorsally and squar- 

 ish in outline. The porcupine skull has a very deep rostrum which 

 is arched upward beyond the level of the braincase and is rounded 

 both dorsally and ventrally. The lower jaw is rounded laterally. 

 The incisors are thick and rounded. The crowns of the molars are 

 characterized by isolated islands of enamel w^hich do not connect 

 with the external ring of enamel. 



Range. — Eastern Canada and the northern United States as 

 far south as southern Indiana. ^lammalogists who have stated that 

 the range of the porcupine is limited to the Canadian zone are in 

 error, as Wied includes it in his list of mammals from New Har- 

 mony in the low^er austral zone. 



It was once to be found throughout Indiana, but there is prob- 

 ably not a single individual living within the boundaries of the 

 State at the present time. The following is a summary of our 

 knowledge of its occurrence in the State : The Prince of Wied 

 states that it was rare at New Harmony at the time of his visit 

 in 1832-1833. Dr. John T. Plummer wrote in 1844 that it had 

 been killed in the suburbs of Richmond ''in the last few years." 

 Mr. Cicero Sims states that they were once numerous in Miami 

 County. Prof. Van Gorder says of it in Noble County: "In 1854 

 my father killed the only porcupine he had ever seen. The animals 



