218 
THE PORCUPINE. 
The porcupine is a native of Africa, South- 
ern Asia, and the Asiatic islands, and it 
also found wild in some of the warmer coun- j 
tries of Europe, as Spain, Sicily, and Malta. ' 
The usual length of the common porcupine 
is about two feet and a half from the head 
the end of the tail. The upper parts of tbi® 
animal are furnished with a remarkable kio^ j 
of defence, being covered with hard, sharp 
spines, some of which measure from nine | 
fifteen inches in length ; they are variegate*^ 
with alternate black and white rings, and af^ 
cast every year. They are complete quill®’ j 
which the animal can raise or depress at ple^'' ' 
sure ; and when he walks they make a rattling 
noise, especially those about the tail, by strih- 
ing against one another. The head, belly’ 
