O. XENUETJS. 



383 



Euphractus minutus, Gray, P. Z. S. 1865, p. 377, fig. (skull). 

 Tatou pichey, Azara, 



Hah. Chili ; La Plata. 



Skull of Euphractus minutus. 



" The four Chilian species of Armadillo {Dasijpus) are nearly 

 similar in habits. The Peludo (Z*. vUlosus) is nocturnal ; while the 

 others wander by day over the open plains, feeding on beetles, larvae, 

 roots, and even small snakes. The Pichy (D. mimdus) prefers a 

 very dry soil and the sandy dunes near the coast, where for many 

 months it can never taste water. In soft soil the animal burrows 

 so quickly that its hinder quarters would almost disappear before 

 one could alight from one's horse." — Darivin's Journ. p. 96. 



5. XENURUS. 



Head elongate. Scapular and pelvic shields convex ; central 

 rings many, ten or eleven. Toes 5 . 5. Tail nakedish, with a few 

 imbedded tessera;. Teeth f . f ; intermaxillarj- teeth none. SkuU 

 elongate ; brain-case constricted over the back of the orbit, swollen 

 in front ; forehead convex ; nose conical, truncated. — Gray, P. Z. S. 

 1805, p. 377. 



The plates on the inner side of the two inner toes of the fore and 

 hind feet arc ciliated with a scries of bristle-like hairs. 



Cabassou, Buffon ; Cuv. Oss. Poss. v. t. 11. f. 7. 9. 



Xeniu-us, Waykr; Turner, P. Z. S. 1851, p. 215 ; Krauss; Gray. 



