• QUADRUPEDS. 
PORCUPINE TRIBE. 
T O a superficial observer, the animals belong-® 
ing to this tribe would seem entitled to a 
place with hedgehogs ; but they have no farther 
similitude than in the spiny covering of their bo* 
dies. None of the species are supposed to be car- 
nivorous. 
The porcupines have two front teeth, cut ob- 
liquely, both in the upper and under jaw ; and 
eight grinders. They have four toes on the fore* 
and five on the hinder feet ,* and the body is cover- 
ed with spines, intermixed with hair. 
Common porcupine. 
The general length of the common porcupine* 
is about two feet and a half from the head to the 
end of the tail. The upper parts of the body are 
covered with hard and sharp spines, some of which 
measure from nine to fifteen inches in length. 
These are variegated with alternate black and 
white rings ; and as some of them are attached to 
the skin only by a delicate pedicle, they easily fall 
OiF. They are formed of complete quills, wanting 
only the vane to be real feathers. The animal has 
the power of elevating or depressing them at will ; 
VOL. II. R 
