The villagers used to speak of the haunted spiny beyond the river, where children dared one another to fetch a feather.

We carefully observed the spiny cactus from a safe distance.

Gardeners compared the spininesses of different cactus varieties before choosing which to plant near the walkway.

Children squealed as they found several spinies under the rocks on the beach.

The cactus's spininess made the hikers give it a wide berth.

The chef carefully shucked a spiny oyster to reveal the pearl hidden inside.

While hiking in the Australian bush, I spotted a spiny anteater rummaging under a log.

The marine biologist carefully observed the spiny lobster under the microscope before noting its behavior.

On the rocky ledge, a spiny tubeworm colony resembled miniature coral, its tubes cemented tightly to the stone.

On our walk along the rocky shore, I found a spiny murex clinging to a tidal pool, its ornate shell hinting at a fierce predatory life.