BRASILIAN PORCUPINE. 
what is far more contammating to minds 
than the foullest dross is to metals. ' ■ 
On Pennant, however,, we must chiefly rely 
for our description of the Brasilian Porcupine 
He has given, it is true, but little; yet, as it. is 
almost wholly what may be denominated prac 
tical, and his veracity stands unimpeachable 
it is of more real value, for the present pur 
pose, than a volume of mere theory.. 
The Brasilian Porcupine, then, appears to b 
the Tlaquatzin, of Hernandez; the Ouriccj 
Cachiero, of Marcgrave. and of Piso; th| 
Iron Pigy of NieuhofF; the Hystrix America j 
TJus, of Ray; the Hystrix Prehensilis, Hystrij 
Cauda Longissima, and Hystrix Americanu. 
Major^ of L'innasus; the Hystrix Longiu; 
Caudatus, or Gouandou, of Barrere ; the Cha: 
Epinoux, of Des Marchais; and tlie Cuandu, 
of the Biasiiians. 
- *' It has a short, blunt nose ; and long, w^hite 
whiskers. Beneath the nose, there is a bed oi 
small spines- The top of the head, the back, 
the sides, and the base of the tail, are coverecl 
with 
