118 EDENTATA. 



covered with a glutinous mucus, for securing their insect nutrK 

 rnent, but they differ from them in their body, limbs and tails, 

 which have as a panoply, their scales large, imbricated, (i. e. 

 hollowed like a roof, or gutter-tile,) and overlapping each other; 

 they differ also in being able to roll themselves up when in dan- 

 ger, by which means their trenchant or sharp cutting scales be- 

 come erect, and present a defensive armor against their enemies. 

 These animals are particularly remarkable for the strength and 

 number of the vertebrae of the tail, (forty-seven in the large spe- 

 cies.) By some they are regarded as a kind of link between 

 viviparous quadrupeds and the Lizards. 



M. macroura, (Gr. long-tailed,) or M. tetradactyla, (Lat four- 

 fingered.) (Linnaeus.) 



This species, found in Africa, is more than two feet in length, 

 and the tail is more than twice as long as the body. The broad, 

 striated and pointed scales, cover the whole body, except the un- 

 der part ; the legs are very short, and also scaled ; on each of the 

 feet are four claws, those on the fore feet being stronger than the 

 others. The scales are of a uniformly deep brown color, with a 

 tinge of yellow, and a glossy surface. 



M. brachyura, (Gr. ffgax^g, brachus, short; i ovQa i oura, tail,) or 

 M. penladactyla, (five-fingered.) The SHORT-TAILED MANIS. 



This Scaly Ant-Eater is a native of East India, where it re- 

 ceives different names, Tiled-Cat, Land-Carp, Caballe, &c. It 

 has a much thicker and shorter tail than is found in the preceding 

 species; the body is stout, and shorter than the tail. Each of the 

 feet, as the specific term pentadactyla denotes, has five toes ; those 

 on the fore feet, except the outer one, which is small, being very 

 strong. The scales differ in shape from those of the Long-Tailed 

 Manis, and are much larger and wider in proportion to the body 

 and the tail ; they are so impenetrable that when the animal rolls 

 itself up, the tiger, panther, or hyaena attempts to force it in vain. 

 The middle claw of the fore paws, far exceeds the others in its 

 proportions, and is admirably adapted for the destruction of the 

 nests of termites, or white ants, which are a great part of its food. 

 It is said the natives " have a method of making a hole in its skin 

 with a knife, and thus of guiding and governing the animal at 

 their pleasure, the point of the knife, which is kept in the hole, 

 goading and irritating him." It is numerous in Ceylon. 



III. Dasypodidae, (Gr. dacrvg, dasus, hairy ; novs, pous, a foot.) 

 The ARMADILLOS. 



This remaining family are arranged by Cuvier into five groups. 

 They are distinguished by having molar teeth alone, and appear 

 to have a place between the Sloths and Ant-Eaters, the latter 



