278 



FIRST LESSONS IN ZOOLOGY 



also used in self-defense. The same is true also of 

 numerous other special means of food-getting, such as the 



power to run swiftly, to 

 leap, and swim. But 

 there are in addition 

 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 devel- 

 oped 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 

 countries has its body 

 covered with horn y 

 shields, and when it 

 draws in its head and curls up tightl)' it is as well protected 

 as a turtle in its box-like armor. Numerous fishes have 

 other means of protection besides their ability to swim 



Fig. 218. — BuLi-worm; thelarvaof a niutli 

 that buiUis a protc^cting case out of siik 

 and bits of sticks, in which its whole 

 body, except Iiorny head, thorax, and 

 legs, is concealed. (Natural size; from 

 specimen.) 



