470 



ZOOLOGY 



SECT. 



short ; there are four toes in the manus, of which the second and 

 third only have claws, that of the third being the longer ; the pes 

 has four sub-equal clawed toes, forming a hook not unlike the 

 foot of the Sloths ; and the tail is prehensile. 



In the Armadillos (Dasypodidce) (Fig. 1049) the head is com- 

 paratively short, broad and depressed. The number of complete 



FIG. 1049. Tatu Armadillo (Dasypus sexcinctus). (After Vogt and Specht.) 



digits of the fore-foot varies from three to five ; these are pro- 

 vided with powerful claws, so as to form a very efficient digging- 

 organ. 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 presence of an armour of bony 

 dermal plates. This usually consists of a scapular shield of closely- 

 united plates covering the anterior part of the body, followed by a 

 series of transverse bands separated from one another by hairy 

 skin, and a posterior pelvic shield. Sometimes these bands are 

 movable, so that the animal is enabled to roll itself up into a 

 ball. The tail is also usually enclosed in rings of bony plates, 

 and a number protect the upper surface of the head. 



FIG. 1050. Scaly Anteater (Manis pentadactyla). (After Vogt and Specht.) 



In the Scaly Anteaters ( Manis) (Fig. 1050) the head is produced 

 into a short pointed muzzle. The limbs are short and strong, with 



