PORCUPINE. 
whether it sleeps all the winter, as we are told 
by some naturalists, which we are sure it does 
not when brought into our country; and, 
lastly, whether it's quills can be sent off with 
a shake, for no less a naturalist than Reaumur 
was of that opinion. All, 5 ' adds Goldsmith, 
" that we can learn, of an animal exposed as a 
shew, or even by it's dissection, is but merely 
it's conformation, and that makes one of the 
least interesting parts of it's history. We are 
naturally led, when presented with an extra- 
ordinary creature, to expect something extra- 
ordinary in it's way of living ; something un- 
common, and corresponding with it's figure : 
but, of this animal, we know little with any 
precision, except what it offers in a state of 
captivity. In such a situation, that which I 
; saw appeared to very little advantage. It was 
extremely dull, and torpid, though very wake- 
s' ful; and extremely voracious, though very ca- 
pable of sustaining hunger ; as averse to any 
attachment, as to being tamed. It was kept 
in an iron cage ; and the touching one of the 
bars was sufficient to excite it's resentment, 
for it's quills were instantly erected ; and the 
Poet was right in his epithet of " fretful," for 
