THE FRETFUL PORCUPINE. l6l 



repeat it. It was cautiously backing toward the youth, so as to get clos* enough 

 to make another retrogressive hitch that would dispose of some more of its spines. 

 But Dick took care to keep out of the way. Diedrick, who had darted off a mo- 

 ment before, now reappeared, carrying a strong scoop-net at the end of a pole, 

 such as are in common use along our sea-coast for crabbing, and the porcupine 

 was deftly captured, without a chance to inflict any further injury. 



The tufted-tail porcupine has shorter quills, which lie flat against the body. Its 

 tail is scaly, and has a tuft at the end which looks as if composed of narrow strips 

 of parchment This animal is found in Fernando Po, and in India and Malacca. 



