154 t^^ armadillo. -^^g- 8. 



All this clafs of animals, of which there are many 

 varieties, are natives of south America. They are 

 all covered with a strong crust or fhell, nearly as 

 impenetrable as that of the tortoise ; and are dibtin- 

 guifhed from each other by the number of flexible 

 bands of which it is composed. They differ from each 

 other in various other particulars ; but, in general, there 

 ere two large pieces that cover the ftioulders and the 

 Tump, between which lie the bands. These bands 

 are not unlike those in the tail of a lobster ; and, 

 being flexible, give way to the motions of the ani- 

 mal. The bands and other par.ts of the Ihell are or- 

 namented with a vast variety of figures, which ren- 

 der this covering no lefs beautiful than convenient. 



It is a harmlefs inoffensive animal ; feeds on roots, 

 fruits, and other vegetables ; grows very fat ; and is 

 greatly esteemed for the delicacy of its flefli. 



No attempt has yet been made to domesticate this 

 animal ; though, if it were capable of being tamed, 

 it would probably add considerably to the luxuries 

 of the table, and the emolument of the farmer. The 

 Indians hunt it with small dogs trained for that pur- 

 pose. It burrows under ground like the rabbit- When 

 surprised it runs to its hole ; or if it cannot get to 

 it, attempts to make a new one, which it does with 

 great expedition, having strong claws on its fore 

 feet, with which it adheres so firmly to the ground, 

 that, if it Ihould be caught by the tail whilst making 

 its way into the earth, its resistance is so great, that 

 it will sometimes leave it in the hands of the pur- 

 suers. To avoid this, the hunter has recourse to ar- 

 tifice j and, by tickling it with a stick, it gives up 



