THE ARMADILLO AND ITS ODDITIES. 357 



sides, and tail, there is a similar coating on the outer surfaces of 

 the legs. The six body bands and the four tail bands are com- 

 posed of small polygonal pieces, joined together, slightly resem- 

 bling certain parts of an alligator's skin. The other parts of the 

 armor differ somewhat from these in shape, being more irregular. 



It will be seen that the armadillo's protecting coat of mail is 

 by no means firm and immovable like the shell of the tortoise, 

 but is comparatively flexible, thus securing to the animal con- 

 siderable freedom of movement, quite in contrast to the unwieldy 

 awkwardness of the tortoise. When the armadillo's feet are 

 drawn up under the body, this protecting coat reaches to the 

 ground, overhanging like a cloak lightly thrown over the animal. 



We read how the warrior of ancient time, though incased in a 

 heavy coat of mail, was sometimes " pierced between the joints of 

 the harness." A similar fate may befall our "little armed one." 

 Even so puny a creature as the mosquito is enabled to annoy it 

 by attacking the naked skin between the plates and bands. The 

 tiny insect's partiality for this animal is so great, attracted doubt- 

 less by the abundant blood coursing through its plump form, that 

 it even follows the armadillo into its burrow on its bloodthirsty 

 errand. 



The under parts of the animal, including the chin, breast, belly, 

 and the inner sides of the legs, are covered only by skin. This is 

 of the same color as that between the bands, and resembles in 

 roughness the skin of a plucked chicken, being also naked with 

 the exception of a few scattered hairs. The ears and the end of 

 the nose are also without armor. A few bristly hairs appear on 

 the skin between the bands of armor, and there is quite a tuft 

 under each eye. The hair on the back and sides is pure white ; 

 on all other parts, jet black. 



The ears are an inch and a quarter in length, round, and always 

 erect. The eyes are small, black, and piggish in expression, with 

 oddly wrinkled lids. The armadillo is chiefly nocturnal in its 

 habits, sleeping much during the day ; accordingly, we find the 

 eyes weak and unable to bear strong light. The smell and hear- 

 ing, on the contrary, are very acute. 



The legs are short and stout. Both fore and hind feet have 

 five toes, which are provided with powerful, slightly curved nails 

 from one fourth to one inch long, those on the fore feet being the 

 longest. With these instruments the armadillo not only burrows 

 in the ground with wonderful ease and rapidity, but it can clutch 

 an object, or the earth even, with a powerful grip. In walking 

 on firm ground or on a floor, the nails only of the fore feet touch 

 the surface, and but little more of the hind feet, although the 

 latter are plantigrade when the animal is standing still. 



The six-banded armadillo, in common with most of the species. 



