LIBER VIII · CAPUT 35
THE PORCUPINE
Latine · Mayhoff 1906
Hystrices generat India et Africa, spinea contectas cute irenaceorum genere, sed hystrici longiores aculei et, cum intendit cutem, missiles. ora urgentium figit canum et paulo longius iaculatur. hibernis autem se mensibus condit, quae natura multis et ante omnia ursis.
English · Bostock & Riley 1855–57
India and Africa produce the porcupine, the body of which is covered with prickles. It is a species of hedgehog, but the quills of the porcupine are longer, and when it stretches the skin, it discharges them like so many missiles. With these it pierces the mouths of the dogs which are pressing hard upon it, and even sends its darts to some distance further. It conceals itself during the winter months, which, indeed, is the nature of many animals, and more especially the bear.