ANIMALS WITH ARMOUR 93 



animals which are not, correctly speaking, clothed in a coat of mail 

 which protects them, but possess other means of defence for their 

 protection, then many instances will be forthcoming of how 

 wonderfully the creatures of earth and sea are provided with devices 

 whereby their survival is maintained. 



In this section of the Book of the Animal Kingdom, it is not 

 proposed to deal at length with these various subjects, for a selection 

 of animals have been chosen to illustrate this chapter which will 

 not permit of such treatment. The Armadillos, the Porcupines, the 

 Pangolin and the common British Hedgehog admirably represent 

 some armoured animals, and it is with the life-histories of these 

 that we may now concern ourselves. 



HAIRY ARMADILLO. — The skin of the back of an Armadillo 

 (see Figs. 71 and 72) is modified into movable rings, or girdles, 

 consisting of plate-like shields, each containing a plate of bone, as 

 present in some Reptiles. The teeth are numerous, but are not 

 strong, and beyond being ably protected by the formidable plated 

 armour, the Armadillos further protect themselves by burrowing 

 into the ground by means of their powerful claws. In this way, 

 too, food is sometimes procured, for they feed largely upon insects 

 and earthworms, which are secured as a result of this burrowing. 

 Mice, snakes, eggs and young birds, as well as carrion, are also 

 eaten. 



The Hairy Armadillo (Fig. 71) is probably the best known 

 member of its family, as it is usually this species that is exhibited 

 in captivity. The jointed bony plates situate upon the fore-parts 

 and hind-quarters of the present species form two large shields, 

 and, as will be observed, between each section of plates a number 

 of hairs are present, which fact gives the animal the first part of 

 its name. These hairs are also scantily found upon the lower 

 parts of the body. 



The body is broad and flat ; the legs are short and stumpy ; the 

 claws very strong, and, as Mr. Frank Finn has well remarked, 

 "the whole effect is rather Tortoise-like." The tongue is long and 

 can be protruded some distance from the mouth, reminding one 

 of the lengthy, flexible organ of the Ant-Eater. 



Although it only measures some twenty-four inches long, the 

 Hairy Armadillo is a heavy beast, and is "surprisingly solidly built 

 for its size." 



Like its relatives, it is an inhabitant of the Argentine Republic, 



