148 THE PANGOLIN. 



sents to its antagonists a callous ball, on which no impression 

 can be made. In this posture it sometimes effects its escape, 

 by rolling itself over the edge of an abrupt precipice, in which 

 case it generally falls to the bottom unhurt. The most successful 

 method of catching armadillos, is by snares laid for them in the 

 places which they frequent. They are hunted chiefly for the ex- 

 quisite delicacy of their flesh. They always burrow deep in the 

 ground, and seldom stir out except in the night, while in search 

 of their food, which consists of roots, fruits, and other vegeta- 

 bles. They are harmless, inoffensive animals, and often grow 

 very fat. 



Of this kind of animal there are several varieties : the six- 

 oanded armadillo is about the size of a young pig ; it is gene- 

 rally found in Brazil and Guiana: the kabassou, or twelve- 

 banded armadillo, is the largest of all the race, being almost 

 three feet in length : this kind is seldom used for the table. The 

 weasel-headed armadillo receives its appellation from the form 

 of its head : it has eighteen bands, and is about fifteen inches 

 long. 



All the different varieties of the armadillo are natives of South 

 America, and no species of it has ever been discovered in any 

 part of the old world, although it seems to bear, without any 

 apparent inconvenience, the severity of our climate. 



Some pretend that a close friendship subsists between the ar- 

 madillo and the rattlesnake. It is indeed a fact not to be called 

 in question, that both have been found in the same subterraneous 

 apartment; but whether this circumstance proceeds from any 

 friendly connexion between these two very different creatures, 

 or whether it be merely the effect of accident, is not easy to de- 

 termine, although the latter appears the most probable. It seems, 

 however, to be a fault much too common among naturalists, to 

 draw general conclusions from partial observations, accidental 

 circumstances, or ill-authenticated accounts 



THE PANGOLIN, OR GREAT MANIS, 



Is a native of Formosa, and the other oriental islands ; and is 

 also found in Guiana, where it feeds on ants. It is slow in its 

 motions : it generally grows to the length of four feet, exclusive 

 of the tail, which is nearly of the same length with the body. 

 Like the armadillo, it is defended by a coat of mail, which pro- 

 tects it against the attacks of the most powerful and ferocious 

 assailants. Even the tiger and the panther attack it in vain ; for 

 being closely covered with scales, which it can erect at pleasure, 

 it opposes to the adversary a formidable rank of offensive wea- 

 pons The moment it perceives the approach of an enemy, it 



