THE STORY OF THE PORCUPINE. 
213 
aggressive animal, and seldom, if ever, makes an unprovoked attack. But 
if irritated or wounded, it becomes at once a very unpleasant antagonist, as 
it spreads out its bristles widely, and rapidly backs upon its opponent. 
I have witnessed the successful defense of the animal on a number of 
occasions. Being one moonlight night with a party in search of porcupines 
with dogs, we had not been out long ere we discovered a. hole inhabited by 
these quadrupeds. A dog was immediately put to it. The animal had not 
gone many paces, when he howled and retreated with several quills in his 
body. One in particular was driven an inch into- his right leg. The porcu¬ 
pine, on the approach of the dog, drew itself into the shape of a ball, and, 
darting forward with all its strength, drove its quills into the dog. We were 
PORCUPINES OF MOROCCO. 
forced to give up the fight, and the porcupine saved his life by the desperate 
fight made against our dogs. 
The total length of the common porcupine is about three feet six inches, 
the tail being about six inches long. Its gait is plantigrade, slow and clumsy, 
and as it walks its long quills shake and rattle in a very curious manner. Its 
muzzle is thick and heavy, and its eyes small and piglike. 
The American Indians use the quills extracted from the Canada porcu¬ 
pine, a species living on trees, for ornamenting various parts of their dress, 
especially their moccasins or skin shoes. The length of this species is about 
two feet. It is found in many parts of the United States as well as in Canada, 
