EDENTATA DASYPUS NOVEM-CINCTUS. 623 



DASYPUS, Linnseus. 



Dasypus, LINN.EUS, "Syst. Nat. (cd. 2,) 1740." 



Edentata, with a solid bony carapace, divided centrally into a varying number of movable zones. Molar teeth numerous, 

 simple ; ears distinct. l 



The armadillos, with, their coat of bony mail, constitute a remarkable feature in the zoology 

 of the continent of America, to which they are confined. The skeleton presents many con 

 spicuous points, as compared with most other mammals. The skull is a cone, drawn out into a 

 narrow muzzle at one end, subtruncate at the other, without any temporal crest. The teeth are 

 very simple, and of a firm uniform material, consisting of ivory or dentine, with usually a thin 

 coating of cement. Canine and incisor teeth are wanting ; in Dasypus sexdnctus alone is there 

 an incisor on either side at the extremities of the jaws, although these, by their lateral position, 

 take their place with the molars, without differing in any way from them. The number of 

 teeth varies from 32 or 34 in D. longicaudalus, to 92-98 in D. gigas, the largest number to be 

 found among the terrestrial mammalea. The shape of the teeth varies with the species. 



By some authors, the genus Dasypus, as above constituted, is considered as a family, with 

 several genera, of which Cheloniscus, Xenurus, and EupJiractus have the fore feet five-toed, 

 while Tolypeutes and Dasypus have only four toes anteriorly. It is in the restricted genus 

 Dasypus that our North American species falls. 



DASYPUS NOVEM-CINCTUS, Linnaeus. 



Texas Armadillo. 



Dasypus novem-cinctus, LINNJEUS, Syst. Nat. (ed. 12,) I, 1766, 54. 



SCHREBER, Saiugt. II, 1775, 223 ; lab. Ixxiv and Ixxvi. 

 WAGNER, Suppl. Schreb. IX, 1844, 179. 

 GIEBEL, Saugt. 1855, 42!. 



Dasypus octo-cinctus, (LiNN.) SCHREBER, Saugt. II, 1775, 222 ; tab. Ixxiii and Ixxvi. 

 Dasypus peba, DESM. Mamm. II, 1822, 368. 



AUD. & BACH. N. Am. Quad. Ill, 1853, 220 ; pi. cxlvi. 

 ? Dasypus longicaudatus, " PR. MAX. Beit." 



Sp. CH. Eight molars on each side of each jaw ; none of them implanted in the intermaxillary. Tail as long as the body, 

 exclusive of the head, or a little longer. Eight movable rings in the middle of the shell, and a ninth partly free on the sidesi 

 Tail covered with twelve jointed whorls to near the end, where it is plaited and imbricated, but not enveloped by a horny 

 cone. Molars, thirty-two. Color, blackish. 



A detailed description of this animal will be found in the zoological report of the United 

 States and Mexican Boundary Survey, from specimens preserved in alcohol. There is some 

 uncertainty as to the precise name of the Texas species, on account of the probable combination 

 of more than one under the same name in South America. Lund, in endeavoring to settle the 

 question, gives three species as most closely allied, in the following diagnoses : 



D. novem-cinctus, Linn. (D. longicaudatus, Max.) Largest species -, with seven molars, nine bands, and a tail the length of the 

 body. Inhabits Cayenne and northern Brazil. 



i-Wagner, Suppl. Schreb. I, 1844, 160. 



