ARMADILLO.— Z'%yv//.v sc.vch/cfifs. 



The Armadillos are inhabitants of Central and Southern America, and are 

 tolerably common throughout the whole of the land in which they live. The 

 general structure of the armour is similar in all the species, and consists of three 

 large plates of horny covering ; one being placed on the head, another on the 

 shoulders, and the third on the hind quarters. These plates are connected by a 

 series of bony rings, vaiiable in number, overlapping each other, and permitting 

 the animal to move freely, Each plate and band is composed of a number of 

 small plates, joined together, and forming patterns which differ in the various 

 species. The Avliole of the animal, even to the long and tapering tail, is covered 

 with these horny scales, with the exception of the upper part of the legs, which 

 are concealed under the armour of the body, and need no other protection. At 

 and soon after birth, the infant Aiiuadillo is quite soft, like parchment, but the 

 skin is marked in a similar manner to that of the adult animal, excepting that the 

 hairs that protrude between the shelly plates are more numerous. 



The common Armadillo, or Poyou, is about twenty inches in total length, the 

 tail occupying some six or seven inches. It is very common in Paraguay, but is 

 not easily captured, owing to its remarkable agility, perseverance, and wariness. 

 Encumbered as it appears to be with its load of plate-armour, it runs wdth such 

 speed tliat it can hardly be overtaken by a quick-footed man, and if it should 

 contrive to reach its burrow, it can never be got out except by dint of hard work. 



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