8o 
kAtural his-tory. 
animals may be rendered, when under t!ie flcili 
and workmanfliip of infinite wil'dom.' 
A vv'olf, it is faid was once found dead, 
with fome of the quills of the porcupine 
flicking in his mouth ; no doubt but they 
mull have ftuck there when hunger induced 
him to the rafli attempt of devouring this 
felf-defendcd animal. 
The porcupine is generally defcribed to 1^ 
an inoll'enlive animal, living entirely on 
fruits, roots, and vegetables ; but fomc natu- 
ralills, particularly Dr. Goldfmith, affert, 
that they prey upon ferpents, with which 
they live in perpetual enmity. Their method 
of attacking them is laid to be, that the por- 
cupine rolls himfelf on them, wounding them 
with its quills, until they expire, when they 
are immediately devoured by the vidlor. 
It is an inhabitant of India, Perlia, Palef- 
tine, and every part of Africa. Although 
not originally a native of Europe, it is found 
wild in Italy ; in which place they have 
fmallcr crells, and fliorter qpiills, than thofe 
of Alia and Africa. 
In Rome, it is fold for food in the public 
markets. . 
7 he 'S L O 1' II. 
T HERE arc two kinds of this- animall 
one of which has two claws, on each h ot, 
and 
