ARMADILLOS. 187 



Fig. 118 the ungueal phalanx; Fig. 119 the teeth of 

 megatherium. 



With respect to the megalonyx, it was an "animal 

 closely related to the megatherium, and doubtless of the 

 same habits, but of inferior size, not exceeding the size 

 of an ox, though more solidly and heavily built. Its 

 relics are apparently more rare than those of the mega- 

 therium, at least fewer have been recovered^ 



Section II. INSECTIVOROUS EDENTATA. 



Family — LORICATA (or Armadillos). 



This family group includes the true armadillos {Dasypns)., 

 the chlamyphorus, and also the aard-vark, or African 

 ant-eater, which, though not covered with armour, ap^ 

 preaches in its structure nearer to the armadillos than to 

 the American ant-eaters {Myrmecophagd)^ with which 

 animals it was formerly associated, and which it resem- 

 bles very closely in manners and food. 



The armadillos (^Dasypus) are divided by Cuvier 

 into five minor groups, or subgenera, according to the 

 number of the teeth and fore-claws ; viz. Cachichames, 

 Apars, Encouberts, Cabassous, and Priodontes. 



The Cachichames have four toes on each foot, and 

 seven teeth on eaoh side above and below. The Apars 

 have four toes on each foot, and nine or ten teeth in each 

 side in both jaws. The Encouberts have five toes on the 

 fore-feet, and nine or ten teeth on each side above and 

 below, with two incisor teeth in the upper. The Cabas- 

 sous have five toes, but those of the fore-feet are disposed 

 obliquely, and in such a manner that the thumb and 

 index finger are small, the middle and fourth toes armed 

 with tremendously large trenchant claws, and the fifth 

 very small : teeth nine or ten on each side above and 

 below. The Priodontes^ in addition to the unequal toes 

 and enormous claws of the Cabassous, have from twenty- 

 two to twenty-four small teeth on each side in each jaw. 



The armadillos are exclusively confined to the warmer 

 portions of the American continent, and the species are 

 tolerably numerous, none, however, attaining to a very 



