. The Cambridge natural history. Zoology. 498 TREE PORCUPINES in both families we have long-tailed and short-tailed forms. Cercolales corresponds to Atherura or Tricliys, and Ereihizon to Hystrlx. The genus Erethizon, the " Urson " of Canada, has a short, stumpy tail. Its spines are almost hidden by enveloping hair. The fore-feet have four, the hind-feet five toes. The short tail of this creature is remarkable when we reflect upon its climbing habits. It appears, however, to be a weapon with which it strikes sideways at the enemy. Of the Neotropical genus Ccrcolabes (sometimes called
. The Cambridge natural history. Zoology. 498 TREE PORCUPINES in both families we have long-tailed and short-tailed forms. Cercolales corresponds to Atherura or Tricliys, and Ereihizon to Hystrlx. The genus Erethizon, the " Urson " of Canada, has a short, stumpy tail. Its spines are almost hidden by enveloping hair. The fore-feet have four, the hind-feet five toes. The short tail of this creature is remarkable when we reflect upon its climbing habits. It appears, however, to be a weapon with which it strikes sideways at the enemy. Of the Neotropical genus Ccrcolabes (sometimes called Sphin- gurus, Synetheres, or C'oendou) there are some eight or nine species, all found in Central and South America. The animal is. Fig. 244.—Brazilian Tree Porcupine. Sphinrjnrus prehensilis. x J. arboreal, and has in correspondence with that habit a prehensile tail. The spines are not so stout as in the Grround Porcupines, and are often coloured yellowish or reddish. In correlation with its tree-frequenting habits the bones of Oercolahes show certain differences from those of the Ground Porcupines. The scapula is broader and rounder in front than is that of Hystrix; the phalanges of the thumb (which is rudimentary) are fused together as in the Canadian Erethizon; but those of the very small hallux are also fused, whereas in Erethizon, as in Hystrix, they are separate. In one species, C. insidiosiis, Sir W. Flower states that there are as many as seventeen dorsal vertebrae and thirty-six caudals. The tail is thus very long. In C. viUosus there are fifteen dorsals and twenty-seven caudals; eight ribs reach the sternum, which is composed of seven pieces, the. Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfectly resemble the original Harmer, S. F. (Sidney Frederic), Sir, 1862- ed; Shipley, A. E. (Arthur Everett), Sir, 1861-1927. ed.
Size: 2426px × 1030px
Photo credit: © The Book Worm / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjectzoology, bookyear1895
