462 
MAMMALIA. 
plants, of which they are very fond ; all animal substances are 
excessively repugnant to them. They are very intelligent, and 
may he easily tamed. 
The preceding group serves as a link of connection with the 
Porcupines, which are singular animals, endowed with a very 
peculiar faculty, namely, that of causing their body, w T hich is 
covered with quills, to bristle up, and thus forming for themselves 
a cuirass both offensive and defensive. Before proceeding further, 
we may mention that the small family of Porcupines is divided 
Fig. 195. — Porcupine ( Hystrix cristata). 
into four genera — Porcupines Proper, the Prehensile Porcupines, 
the Aulacodes, and the Mexican Porcupine. 
Genies of Common Porcupine . — The species often called the 
Crested Porcupine, inhabits Italy, Greece, Spain, Northern Africa, 
and different parts of Asia. We shall describe it, which will 
serve to characterise the whole genus. 
This Porcupine is one of the largest Podents ; its average 
total length exceeds twenty- four inches. The principal features 
of its physiology, exclusive of its coat (Fig. 195), are very 
powerful upper incisors, short thick toes, furnished with strong 
claws, a large head bulging out in the frontal region, small 
eyes, short ears, a slightly split mouth, and thick-set shape, com- 
bined with an awkward and clumsy gait. 
