Long tailed porcupine Trichys fasciculata

Long tailed porcupine Trichys fasciculata 'Travellers and naturalists, says Buffon, have attributed to the porcupine the property of darting its quills to a distance, and with such force as to inflict deep wounds. Some tell us that they have been wounded by these darts. others affirm that the quills are discharged with such violence as to pierce a plank at the distance of several paces.' Handcoloured copperplate engraving from 'The Naturalist's Pocket Magazine; or, Complete Cabinet of the Curiosities and Beauties of Nature' (1798~1802) published by Harrison, London. (Photo by: Florilegius/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)