[Three Hundred Animals Contents]
GROWS to the height of about two feet and a half, and his body is covered with hair and sharp quills, from ten to fourteen inches long, and bent backwards. When the animal is irritated, they stand erect, but it is a folly to believe and nonsense to repeat after ill-informed naturalists, that the Porcupine can shoot them at his enemies. The female goes seven months with young, and brings forth only one at a time. They are reported to live from twelve to fifteen years. The Porcupine is dull, fretful and inoffensive, feeds upon fruits, roots and vegetables of many sorts; and inhabits India, Persia, Italy, and almost every part of Africa.
