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THE STORY OF THE PORCUPINE. 
exposing the bristles, but with its feet ready for action. When the assailant 
has approached sufficiently 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, which 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 sufferer. 
: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 
whose 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 
