404 



THE ANIMALS AND MAN 



many special means of defense and protection which have 

 nothing to do with food-getting. The males of most mem- 

 bers of the deer family 

 ■ — the moose, elk, and red 

 deer for example — have 

 antlers strong and sharp- 

 pointed, which they can 

 use effectively in fighting 

 wolves and other enemies 

 as well as each other. 

 At the same time they 

 have legs finely developed 

 for swift running, and to 

 run away is often better 

 protection than to fight. 

 The porcupine has long, 

 sharp quills which make 

 a bad mouthful for any 

 animal that attempts to 

 nip the prickly ball; the 

 armadillo of tropical coun- 

 tries has its body covered 

 with horny shields, and 

 when it draws in its head 

 and curls up tightly it is 

 as well protected as a 

 turtle in its box-like armor. 

 Numerous fishes have 

 other means of protection 

 besides their abihty to 

 swim swiftly; the catfishes 

 stiffen a long spine in each 

 pectoral fin, which makes 

 a bad wound; the so-called poison-fishes of the ocean 

 have spines provided with poison glands; the sting- 



Fig. 203. Bag-worm; the larva of 

 a moth that builds a protecting 

 case out of silk and bits of stick, 

 in which the whole body except 

 horny head thorax and legs, is con- 

 cealed. (Natural size.) 



