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THE STORY OF THE PORCUPINE. 



exposing the bristles, but with its feet ready for action. When the assailant 

 has approached sufhciently near, the active little animal darts forward, 

 hurling itself against the attacking animal. The spear-like quills find lodge- 

 ment in the skin of the assailant, causing in every case a hasty retreat. 



This animal inhabits many parts of the world, being found in Africa, 

 Southern Europe and India. The spines, or quills, with which it is furnished, 

 vary considerably in length, the longest quills being flexible and not capable 

 of doing much harm to an opponent. Beneath these is a plentiful supply 

 of shorter spines, from five to ten inches in length, w^hich are the really 

 effective weapons of this imposing array. Their hold on the skin is very 

 slight, so that when they have been struck into a foe, they remain fixed in 



PORCUPINES OF SIAM. 



the wound, and, unless immediately removed, work sad woe to the sufTerer. 

 For the quill is so constructed that it gradually bores its way into the flesh, 

 burrowing deeper at every movement, often causing the death of the 

 wounded creature. 



In Africa and India leopards and tigers have frequently been killed, in 

 v/hose flesh were pieces of porcupine quills that had penetrated deeply into 

 the body, and had even caused suppuration to take place. In one instance, 

 a tiger was found to have his paws, ears and head filled with the spines of a 

 porcupine, which he had been vainly endeavoring to kill. 



As I have said, conscious of its powers, the porcupine is not at all an 



