1394 



THE EDENTATES 



are ornamented with an indistinct granular sculpture. Next to the under-mentioned 

 giant armadillo, the present species is the largest of the group. Its habits are prob- 

 ably very similar to those of the six-banded armadillo, although our information is 

 somewhat scant on this point. 



By far the largest living member of the family is the giant armadillo 

 (Priodon gigas}, from the forests of Surinam and Brazil, which at- 

 tains a length of nearly a yard from the tip of the snout to the root oi 

 the tail, and is the sole representative of its genus. While agreeing with the broad- 

 banded armadillo in the number of five bands in the carapace, and the general struc- 



Giant Arma- 

 dillo 



THE GIANT ARMADII.I/X 

 (One-sixth natural size.) 



ture of its feet, this species is distinguished by the still greater relative development 

 of the third toe, and the small size of the claw of the fifth. It is further character- 

 ized by the small size and elongated form of the head, on which the ears are oval 

 and rather small, and by the tail, which is nearly equal in length to the body, being 

 covered with large scales arranged in spiral rows. There are ten rows of plates in 

 the scapular, and sixteen or seventeen in the pelvic shield. With the exception of 

 the head, tail, and a band on the sides, which are whitish, the color is blackish 

 brown. The powerful front claws of this armadillo clearly proclaim its fossorial 



