k 
COMMON PORCUPINE. 
been this circumstance which gave rise to the re- 
port of its darting its quills against its enemy. 
Those which are brought to this country to be 
shown, are usually fed on bread, milk, and fruits ; 
but they will not refuse meat when it is offered 
them ; audit is probable, they prefer it in a wild 
state, when it is to be had. The porcupine is also 
known to be extremely hurtful to gardens ; and, 
where it enters, does incredible damage. 
The Americans w ho hunt this animal, assure us, 
that the porcupine lives from twelve to fifteen years. 
During the time of coupling, which is in the 
month of September, the males become very fierce 
and dangerous, and often are seen to destroy each 
other with their teeth. The female goes with 
young seven months, and brings forth but one at a 
time ; this she suckles but about a month, and 
accustoms it betimes to live, like herself, upon 
vegetables and the bark of trees ; she is very 
fierce in its defence ; but, at other seasons, she 
is«fearful, timid, and harmless. 
The Indians eagerly pursue the porcupine, in 
order to make embroidery of its quills, and to eat 
its flesh. This, as we are commonly told, is very 
tolerable eating ; however, we may expect wretch r 
ed provisions when the savages are to be our ca- 
terers, for they eat every thing that has life. They 
dye the quills of various colours, and then split- 
ting them into slips, as we see in the making of 
a cane chair, they embroider with these their belts, 
baskets, and several other necessary pieces of fur- 
niture. 
It inhabits India, the sand bills to the south- 
west of the Caspian sea, Southern Tartary, Persia, 
and Palestine, and all parts of Africa. It is found 
wild in Italy ; but at the same time it is thought 
not to have been originally a native of Europe. 
