THEEE-BANDED ARMADILLO. 15 



8. ARMADILLO TRIBE. 



All the animals of this tribe are covered, on the upper 

 parts of the body, and even to the point of the head, and 

 the extremity of the tail, with a kind of armour resembling 

 bone. They live in holes, which they form under the 

 surface of the ground ; and feed only on roots, fruit, vege- 

 tables, and insects. 



Three-banded Armadillo. In the torrid climates of 

 South America these animals are principally found ; 

 and, from their structure and appearance, they are 

 oftentimes called, by the English sailors, shield-hogs, 

 and iron-pigs. They are occasionally injurious in the 

 gardens of the planters, where they eagerly devour 

 the leguminous plants and fruit. As their flesh is con- 

 sidered a delicious food, they are objects of eager pursuit 

 to the inhabitants. When attacked, they endeavour to 

 roll themselves into a globular form, presenting only 

 their coat of mail on all sides. So expert are they in 

 burrowing into the ground, that, where the soil is not 

 very hard, they are able completely to bury themselves 

 in a few moments. If in this operation they are caught 

 by the tail, they resist with such obstinacy, that the 

 tail frequently breaks off short, and is left in the 

 hands of the pursuer. The Indians hunt these animals 

 with dogs, which are trained for the purpose. When 

 caught young, they may, without difficulty, be rendered 

 tame and domestic. They breed three or four times 

 in the year, and produce several young ones at a 

 litter. 



This animal has three movable bands or girdles,* com- 

 posed of square or oblong pieces ; and on each of its feet 

 are five toes. It is about a foot in length, and eight inches 



