HYSTRICIDIE, a family of mammals of the order Rodentia. The sub-family Hystricinw em braces the animals familiarly known as porcupines, of the genus hystrix of Linnaeus. They are rodents, whose covering consists for the most part of offensive and defensive armour, in the shape of spines or quills, instead of hairs.
Hystrix Bengalensis, Blyth.
H. Malabarica, Sclater. Bengal porcupine, . ENO.
This is smaller than H. leucurus, the head and ' body being about 28 inches, and tail 8 inches. It is found in South Malabar, Lower Bengal, Assam, and Arakan ' • doubts, however, exist as to the identity of H. Bengalensis and H. Malabarica. Dr. Day states that he procured specimens of the orange porcupine from various parts of the ghats of Cochin and Travancore, and that the flesh of this kind is more highly esteemed for food than the common variety. The native sportsmen declare that the aroma from these burrows is quite sufficient to distinguish the two species.
Hystrix Leucura, Sykes. Indian porcupine. H. Brandt. I H. Zeylanensis, Blyth. H. cristata. Indies, Gray. IH. cauda-alba, Sykes.
Sajru, BERG. Sahi, Sayal, Sarsol, Hum.
Ycd, CAN. Salendra, • . • . Mama.
Hoigu, • . GoND. Dumsi, . . . NEPAL.
Saori, GUJ. Yoddu pandi, • . TEL.
Tho white-tailed or Indian porcupine is found over a great part of India. It forms extensive
burrows, often in societies, in the sides of hills, banks of rivers, nullahs, and tanks, or old mud walls. Its length is about 32 inches, tail 7 inches. In some parts of the country they never issue forth till dark ; dogs take up the scent readily. The porcupine charges backwards on i ts assailants, with erected spines, and dogs frequently get severe wounds, the strong spiues being driven deeply into them. The meat of the porcupine is white, tasting something between pork and veal, and is not bad eating.
Ilystrix Longicauda, Marsdcn.
H. alophus, Javanicum, H. Hodgsonii, Gray. I F. Cur.
Crestless porcupine, of Sathung of . . LEPCIL&. I ARbOtiA dumsi, NEPAL.
The crestless porcupine is found in Sikkim, in Nepal, at Darjiling, up to 4000 and 5000 feet. In the Eastern Himalaya it is about 24 inches long, tail 4 and quills 5i inches. They are very numerous and very mischievous, committing great depreda tions in the edible root crops.
Atherura fasciculata is of the Tiperah Hills and southwards to the Malay Peninsula. The tail is much longer than in the true porcupines, and ends in a tuft of long bristles, and the spines of the back are leas elevated.—Jerdon ; Mason.