America also possesses some species of Porcupines. The most remarkable
is the Urson, or Canadian Porcupine, which is found north of the 46th
degree of latitude. It is as large as the European species, and it
inhabits pine forests, feeding principally on the bark of trees, and its
den is hollowed out underneath their roots. When attacked, it draws its
legs beneath its body, sets up its quills, and lashes around with its
tail.
The Indians hunt it for the sake of its flesh, which is good, and also
for its skin, from which they make caps, after having plucked out the
quills, which are used by them for pins.