4:02 
VERTEBRATA. 
with spines ; the feet are plantigrade ; the mammae are pectoral, and four in number. The nest 
is made in hollow trees, or in caverns beneath the rocks. The young are produced in April or 
May, usually two at a time. 
This animal is extremely sluggish in its movements, and often will not take the trouble to run 
away from dog or man, being, in this respect, very much like the skunk. As the latter relies on 
his liquid shaft, addressed to the nose, the former seems to put his trust in his thousand barbed 
arrows, which threaten the flesh. Of the two, the porcupine has the advantage, for when at- 
tacked by a dog, wolf, cougar, or other ferocious beast, it presses its nose downward, erects its 
quills, and brandishing its tail, stands ready for the onslaught. If the assailant is inexperienced, 
and unwarily seizes the hostile party with its mouth, he instantly retreats, with a howl of pain 
and dismay, for his nose, lips, jaws, and tongue are stuck full of the barbs of the porcupine. 
Unless some one extracts them, they work deeper and deeper, and often result in the death of the 
sufferer. Lynxes, wolves, and cougars have been found dead, or dying in the woods, from the 
effect of porcupine quills thus inserted in the fleshy parts of the mouth. The Indians of the 
North are said to have a deadly hatred of the porcupine, on account of the mischief it inflicts in 
this way on their dogs. 
Richardson, in describing this animal, says: "It is readily attacked by the Indian dogs, and 
soon killed, but not Avithout injury to its assailants, for its quills, which it erects when attacked, 
are rough with minute teeth directed backward, that have the effect of rendering this seemingly 
weak and flexible weapon a very dangerous one. Their points, which are pretty sharp, have no 
sooner insinuated themselves into the skin of an assailant, than they gradually bury themselves, 
and travel onward until they cause death by wounding some vital organ. These spines, which 
are detached from the porcupine by the slightest touch, and probably by the will of the animal, 
soon fill the mouths of the dogs which worry it, and unless the Indian women carefully pick them 
out, seldom fail to kill them. Wolves occasionally die from the same cause. The Canada porcu- 
pine makes its retreat among the roots of an old tree, and is said to pass much of its time in 
sleeping. When disturbed, it makes a whining or mewing noise. It pairs in the latter end of 
September, and brings forth two young ones in April or May. Its flesh, which tastes like flabby 
pork, is relished by the Indians, but is soon nauseated by Europeans. The bones are often deeply 
tinged with a greenish-yellow color. Like other animals which feed on coarse vegetable sub- 
stances, it is much infested by intestinal worms. The quills or spines are dyed of various bright 
colors by the native women, and worked into shot-pouches, belts, shoes, and other ornamental 
articles of dress." 
The Canada porcupine feeds on vegetables of various kinds, especially the bark and leaves of 
trees, preferring the birch, elm, bass, cotton-wood, hemlock, willow, larch, and various kinds of 
fir. It easily climbs trees, and Avhen once it has begun to feed on a tree, it usually does not leave 
it, except at night to sleep in its bed, till it has stripped it from top to bottom. It is said that a 
single porcupine will thus denude a hundred trees in a season. Sometimes considerable patches 
of forest are found dead as if scorched by fire, having been gnawed bare by the porcupine. This 
animal is also fond of sweet apples and young Indian corn. In feeding, it sits on its haunches, 
and brings its food to its mouth with the fore-paws. It is capable of being domesticated, in 
which state it eats cabbages, turnips, potatoes, and even bread. It utters a growl when offended, 
and at night is heard to break out in low, querulous shrieks. It shows no attachment, and little 
Intelligence, but is a mild, inoffensive creature, always supporting an air of surly indifference, 
with a tinge of stupid, awkward self-importance. Its greatest desire seems to be, to be let alone. 
This animal is found in the Canadas, and north as far as latitude 67°. In some places it is 
■still abundant, but is everywhere becoming more and more rare. It was once common in the 
northern parts of New York and Ohio, but is now scarce in those parts. It is not found south 
of these localities. In the Northwestern States it is frequently met with. 
Genus SPHIGGURE: Sphiggurus. — Of this genus there are several species, all of which are 
climbers, with a prehensile tail partly naked. They are covered with short, sharp spines, con- 
cealed by the hair, on which account they are denominated Hystrix insidiosa. If handled with- 
out caution, they inflict severe wounds. The most noted species is the Couiy, S. insidiostis, 
