THE GREAT ARMADILLO. 



197 



nearly two inches long, and in figure forming a seg- 

 ment of a circle ; the body is round ; the claws of the 

 fore-feet, particularly that of the middle toe, are exces- 

 sively large. The bucklers of the croup and shoulders 

 are composed of ten and seven rows of scales respectively, 

 each scale forming an oblong rectangle ; the moveable 

 bands are thirteen in number, composed of scales much 

 smaller than those of the bucklers, and of a nearly square 

 figure. (Fig. 123.) The habits of this species are alto- 

 gether unknown. It inhabits Guiana and Brazil, and is 

 rarely found so far south as Paraguay. 



123.— Tatouay. 



The Great Armadillo {Dasypus gigas). 



This armadillo is an example of Cuvier's group Prio- 

 dontes. The Great Armadillo measures nearly three 

 feet three inches in length, from the nose to the origin 



VOL. IV. K. 



