XII 



PHYLUM CHORDATA 



527 



times well developed. There are five digits in the fore- 

 foot, of which the third has always a very large, curved, and 

 pointed claw, render- 

 ing the manus an 

 efficient burrowing 

 organ. The toes of 

 the hind-foot, four 

 or five in number, 

 are sub-equal and 

 provided with moder- 

 ate-sized claws. The 

 tail is always very 

 long, and is some- 

 times prehensile. The 

 body is covered with 

 long hair. 



In the Armadillos 

 (Dasypodidce) (Fig. 

 296) the head is 

 comparatively short, 

 broad and depressed. 

 The number of com- 

 plete digits of the 

 fore-foot varies from 

 three to five ; these 

 are provided with 

 powerful claws, so as 

 to form a very effi- 

 cient burrowing or- 

 gan. The hind-foot 

 always has five digits 



with smaller claws. The tail is usually well developed. 

 The most striking external feature of the Armadillos is the 



