Every animal has an instrument of defence. Some have claws, some
hoofs, some spurs and beaks, some powerful teeth and stings.
[Illustration: {A PORCUPINE FENDS OFF A DOG.}]
The porcupine has something queerer than all these. Its body is
covered all over with two sets of quills. One set is long, slender,
and curved; the other, short and straight, very stout, and with sharp
points.
Whenever the porcupine is chased by any animal, and finds he cannot
get out of the way, he just stops and bristles up all his quills. Then
he backs quickly upon the animal, so that the short, sharp quills may
stick into the body. If any happen to be a little loose, they stick so
fast in the flesh, like an arrow, that they often make a very bad
wound. Remember this whenever you come in the way of the porcupine.