PORCUPINE. 
According to BufFon, " the Porc;upine 9 
though originally a native of the warmest cli- 
mate^ of Africa and India, can exist and mul- 
tiply in colder countries ; such as Persia, Spain, 
and Italy. Agricola remarks, that the Porcupine 
was not transported into Europe long before 
his time. It is found in Spain; and, more 
.commonly, in Italy ; particularly, in the Ap= 
penine mountains, in the environs of Rome. 
" Aristotle, Pliny, and all the naturalists, 
tell us' that the Porcupine, like the Bear, con- 
ceals itself during the winter, and brings forth 
in thirty days. These facts, we have not been 
able to ascertain : and it is singular that, in 
Italy, where the animal is common, and where, 
-at all periods, there have been learned Philo- 
sophers, and acute observers, no man has ever 
written it's history. On this subject, as well 
as on many others, Aldrovandus has only co- 
pied Gesner ; and the Gentlemen of the Aca- 
demy, who have described and dissected clgiii: 
Porcupines, say little or nothing concerning 
their (Economy and manners. We only learn, 
from the testimony of travellers, and of those 
who keep the Porcupine in -menageries, that 
