PORCUPINE., 
in a domestic state it is neither wild nor fero- 
cious, but only anxious for liberty ; and that, ' 
by the assistance of it's fore-teeth, which are 
strong and sharp, like those of the Beaver, it 
cuts wood, and pierces the door of it's cage. 
We likewise know, that it is easily fed on 
crumbs of bread, on cheese, and on fruits: 
that, in a state of liberty, if lives on fruits and 
wild seeds; that, when it gets admission to a 
garden, it makes great havock, and devours all 
kinds of pot-herbs with avidity; that, like 
most other animals, it becomes fat about the 
end of summer; and, that it's flesh, though . 
somewhat insipid, is not bad to eat, 
" By examining the form, substance, and 
organization, of the quills," concludes Buffon, 
" we easily perceive that they are tubes; and 
only want vanes, to be real feathers. From 
this circumstance, the Porcupine constitutes 
the shade between quadrupeds and birds. 
The quills, particularly those near the tail, 
make a noise, by striking each other, when 
the animal w 7 alks. It can elevate or depress 
it's quills, as the Peacock raises cr lowers the 
feathers of his tail. Hence, the muscular part 
of 
