The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-02-08
NATURES ARMOR.
some Of the Ways In which Animals Are
Protected.

Protected.
From the Philadelphia Times.
when the knights Of old engaged in
battle they We're protected from their
enemies by coats Of mail composed
Of plates OF metal woven chain jack
cts and steel helmets This armor
usually afforded the wcarer ample pro-
lection from the lance and other weap-
ons of those days. 1t is quite likely
that the original designer OF armor re-
ceived his idea from some of natures
numerous examples Of protection,
which show admirable adaptation and
design throughout from living to in
animate forms. Some projections re
quire moro study and thought than
others. thus affording greater pleasure
and instruction i'm the work. | Will
briefly describe some Of the commonest
examples. leaving my young readers 10
continue the search for others more
difficult to fathom.
This is strikingly illustrated I'm the
horny covering of the turtle and the
armadillo Many Of the former are
enabled To shut themselves mp 50
tightly and completely that their en-
cmies can find neither crack nor cram
ny by which To affect an entrance to
the vulnerable parts. But this provis-
ion renders the animal very slow and
awkward I'm it's movements.
The armadillO ON the other hand, is
comparatively nimble and free in its
motions This Is due to the absence Of
armor on the under parts. and diVis-
ION of n part of the back armor into
transverse bands. separated from each
other by pliahle spaces OF lca,hery
looking skin. When attacked. some
species OF armadillos roll themselves
into a round ball. in which position II
is impossible for their enemies TO in
iure them
The quilts OF the porcupine are ca
pable Of inniCtinC severe wounds Like
the armadllo. the purcupinc rolls itself
into the form of a bail when molested.
II rs seldom attacked more than once
by the same animal: one experience is
enough. Many persons believe that il
can shoot SITS quilts AZ an enemy. but
this II cannot do.
Perhaps the most singular method OF
defense is exhibited by the Opossum
and also by many kinds OF insects.
Very few animals will attack the dead
bodies az others. The opossum. the
ant-lion and some beetles are seeming
" aware Of this. and take advantage
Of the knowledge 10y shamming death.
Those that have had an opportunity TO
see an old OpOSsum under such cir
cumstanccs have no dOub. been
amused to sec the animal close its eyes
roll over on its side. and in spite of re-
peated kicks and blows remain mo-
tiouless. 10 all appearances dead. This
shamming generally deceives the ami
mails natural enemies.
The faucs and the deadly venom Of
several species Of scrpcrts are as truly
weapons ~ defense as gun or pistol in
the hands Of man The rattlesnakc
for instance. Is conscious Of its deadly
power. and IS I'm no hurry 10 get out
OF mans way, Immediately coiling and
remaining on the defensive as long as
its enemy Is near, at times sounding
its warning rattle.
Many animals are protected more or
less from their enemies, and At the
same time are enabled 10 approach
their natural prey. by color resem-
hlHnces % the surrounding vegetation
or ground The notified brown of the
partrIdga. the woodcock and the quail.
agreeing closely with the dead leaves
and grasses among wh..h they spend
a large part az their time. afford very
material ala to the protection of these
birds The suJw-white color Of the po-
lar bear and the ptarmigau. i'm their
winter coats. further illustrate this