WEAPONS OF ANIMALS 169 



different species of deer. Sometimes they are merely 

 short upstanding spikes ; at other times they are 

 palmated ; while the more typical forms are of a 

 branched nature, the branches, or tines as they are 

 termed, increasing in number in successive years. 

 Each tine bears a distinct name, and in the case of 

 the red deer and others of a similar type, for example, 

 that nearest the skull is called the ' brow-tine ' ; the 

 next above, the ' bez-tine ' ; and the following one, 

 the ' trez ' or * royal-tine.' The main branch from 

 which the tines arise is designated the ' beam ' ; 

 and this may divide at its summit into several tines 

 known as ' surroyals,' or be broken up into numerous 

 prominences or * snags,' forming what is called a 

 ' crown.' As each tine is more or less pointed at 

 its extremity, one can realise that the antlers of deer 

 are very efficient fighting weapons. 



Quite a number of animals are endowed with a 

 spiny armament. All the porcupines, for instance, 

 are clothed in spines or ' quills,' the larger of which 

 in the common or crested species may measure as 

 much as sixteen inches. Under normal conditions 

 they lie in repose along the animal's body, but when 

 the creature is attacked it causes them to stand on 

 end by contracting certain muscles of its skin, 

 thereby displaying an array of penetrating weapons 

 capable of inflicting serious wounds. The quills of the 

 Canadian porcupine, although very inferior in length 

 to those of the foregoing species, are, nevertheless, 

 of a very formidable nature ; for, being slightly 

 barbed at their tips, and but loosely attached to the 

 animal's skin, they remain firmly fixed into, and 



